ghost dogwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ghost Dogwood
• Wilson's dogwood
• Wilson Dogwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Swida wilsoniana
• Cornus fordii
• Cornus kweichowensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cornales and family Cornaceae, it is classified under the genus Cornus. As a member of this lineage, Cornus wilsoniana represents a specific medicinal species within its taxonomic hierarchy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Cornus wilsoniana, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the country of China. Its presence is documented within the diverse landscapes of China South-Central. Furthermore, the species can be found extending into the regions of China North-Central. It also maintains a geographical reach into China Southeast. Consequently, these three distinct areas define its primary habitat within the nation.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cornus wilsoniana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the ground, though it can also be categorized under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on its specific growth habit and stature. This species follows a deciduous phenology, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, a strategy that allows it to conserve resources during unfavorable periods.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cornus wilsoniana is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This species exhibits significant variation in its stature, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 18 m. As a self-supporting climber, it does not rely on other structures for upward movement but maintains its own structural integrity. The plant is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic dependencies, and is classified as a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cornus wilsoniana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The foliage exhibits an elliptic leaf form with entire margins, lacking any structural defenses such as leaf thorns or spines. From a morphometric perspective, the plant maintains a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of approximately 113.7856569 cm²/g, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all aligning at this specific measurement, indicating a uniform leaf density and thickness across its canopy.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

113.7856569 cm²/g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cornus wilsoniana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Biomolecules

Chemicals

Cornus wilsoniana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Unsaturated Fatty Acids, linoleic acid.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Biomolecules

linoleic acid

1. Horticulture research