Origins of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida): Native to North America

Question: Where did dogwoods originate? I thought they came from Asia via Europe, but sources say they're native to North America.

Answer

The genus Cornus comprises about 65 species native across the Northern Hemisphere. Cornus florida, the flowering dogwood, is indigenous to eastern North America—from Maine to eastern Texas and Missouri. It was known to Native Americans long before European contact and was exported to England around 1740.

Other species have different origins: Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry) is native to Europe/western Asia; Cornus kousa (Kousa dogwood) came from Japan/Korea in 1875. The common name "dogwood" derives from European use of Cornus sanguinea bark to wash mangy dogs.

So yes—flowering dogwood is a true North American native.