Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America, commonly found thriving in moist, riparian habitats. It is recognized for its striking blue fruit and characteristic reddish stems, making it popular in native landscaping. Given its widespread presence, questions often arise concerning its safety and whether any part of the plant is suitable for human consumption. This article clarifies the physical traits necessary for identification and provides a clear safety profile regarding the edibility of Silky Dogwood.
Key Features for Identifying Silky Dogwood
Accurate identification of Cornus amomum is important. This shrub typically grows between six and twelve feet tall, often forming dense thickets in wetlands, stream banks, and swampy areas. Its young twigs and stems are a distinctive reddish-brown or purplish-red color, providing visual interest throughout the winter.
The common name refers to the fine, silky hairs covering the undersides of its simple, oval-shaped leaves and young twigs. Leaves are arranged oppositely and feature arcuate venation. Small, creamy white flowers appear in flat-topped clusters (cymes) during late spring or early summer. The plant then produces petite, spherical drupes that ripen to a porcelain-blue or dark blue color by late summer.
Safety Profile and Edibility Status
Silky Dogwood is definitively not considered an edible plant for humans. While generally categorized as non-toxic, consuming its fruit or other parts is strongly advised against. The berries have an intensely bitter and unpleasant flavor that makes them unpalatable.
Ingesting the berries in any significant quantity can cause mild gastrointestinal distress. Symptoms may include stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea due to the plant’s compounds. Although there are no widespread reports of serious poisoning, humans should treat all parts of the Silky Dogwood as non-edible, including the leaves, bark, and roots.
Traditional and Ornamental Applications
While Silky Dogwood does not serve as a food source for people, it has significant ecological and historical utility. Ecologically, it is valued for its ability to thrive in moist environments, making it an excellent choice for erosion control and streambank stabilization. Its dense root system helps hold soil in place along waterways.
The vibrant blue berries are a favored food source for numerous wildlife species, including over 45 types of songbirds, game birds, small mammals, and deer. The shrub also serves as a host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly.
Historically, Indigenous peoples used the plant for non-consumptive purposes. The inner bark was dried and used in traditional smoking mixtures, often called “kinnikinnick.” The root-bark was also used medicinally as an astringent and tonic. Today, the plant is appreciated in landscaping for its hardiness and year-round ornamental appeal, particularly its reddish winter stems and blue fruit clusters.