Cornus nuttallii

©2005

David Douglas first discovered Cornus nuttallii, but thought it was the Eastern native, Cornus florida. Scientist Thomas Nuttall looked at it and realized it was a new species. Later, John James Audubon named the species in Nuttall’s honor.

Besides growing in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific dogwood is found in the mountains near San Diego and Los Angeles, and a small population grows in Northern Idaho, where it is threatened. The flower is the floral emblem of British Columbia. Because of its tannin, the bark is used for a rich, brown dye and as a preservative. The slim, long branches are made into baskets. Close grained and extremely hard wood, make it useful when made into tool handles, as well as for cabinetry.

For indigenous people, the wood was important; they used it to make bows, arrows, tool handles and hooks. Medicinally, it was used as a blood purifier, for strengthening lungs, and help with stomach ailments.

There is more information and images of this tree in the Plant Gallery and Growing Guide.

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