Species library · Plants & herbs

Flowering Dogwood: poisonous

Cornus florida

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Flowering Dogwood is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from May to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Woodland edges. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Photo: (c) Juan Cruzado Cortés, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Juan Cruzado Cortés · iNaturalist

When Flowering Dogwood appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Flowering Dogwood is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

⚠ Look-alikes

Look up Flowering Dogwood in the app

In the Forage app, Flowering Dogwood has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Flowering Dogwood: common questions

Is Flowering Dogwood poisonous?

Yes. Flowering Dogwood is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Flowering Dogwood appear?

Flowering Dogwood usually appears from May to November in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Flowering Dogwood grow?

Flowering Dogwood is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

What can Flowering Dogwood be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Glossy buckthorn, Common buckthorn, Cornelian cherry. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits