Knowledgebase

Type of dogwood? #772721

Asked September 22, 2021, 3:36 PM EDT

Hello, I was wondering if you could help me ID this dogwood. I read in the fedco seeds catalog that the fruit of the kousa dogwood is edible but I don’t want to eat these fruits if it is a different kind of tree. Let me know if you need any other photos or can’t help! Thank you, Liz

Chittenden County Vermont

Expert Response

Hi, Liz.  Thanks for contacting the Extension Master Gardener Helpline.

Yes, the photo you show is the fruit of a Cornus kousa, and yes, it is edible according to the literature.  The following links give you a little more detail.  

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-kousa/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus_kousa

I have a personal rule that I will pass on for what it's worth:  Even after I have verified that something is edible according to the literature, I usually make the first taste very, very small.  Then I wait for 24 hours.  If there are no ill effects, then I will eat it with a little more confidence, but never in large quantities.  And I do not feed items to children that I haven't tested this way first.

I note that there are various recipes for Cornus kousa berries online, and once you've made sure you tolerate them well, you may want to try some of them.

I hope this information is helpful.

Jessie, Extension Master Gardener Helpline Volunteer

Jessie, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Replied September 22, 2021, 4:09 PM EDT

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