Pagoda dogwood

Cornus alternifolia L.f.

Family: Cornaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

No human-poison record on the NC State page. NC State describes the fruits as bitter and sour; do not eat them. This is not proof the plant is safe.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Neither page states pet toxicity. The ASPCA address for "pagoda-dogwood" returned the no-results page on 10/11/26; that is not proof of absence.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 3-7 per NC State Plant Toolbox and USU TreeBrowser (NC State: does not do well above zone 7, wants cool summers)
Light: Full sun to part shade (NC State); Illinois says full sun to shade. NC State: give it some shade in hot climates, mulch the root zone and keep the soil moist.
Mature size: 15-25 ft tall and 20-32 ft wide per NC State; 12-20 ft tall and wide per Illinois Extension
Where it comes from: Central and eastern Canada and the central and eastern United States, in moist or dry woodlands and along stream banks; NC State lists Florida among the native states.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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