CORNACEAE

The Dogwood family ('Cornaceae') is a widespread family, mostly in the north temperate zone, in the order ''Cornales''. The family mostly comprises woody shrubs and trees, in about fifteen genera, although which genera properly belong to this family is controversial.
The Cornaceae is best known for two genera, ''Cornus'', the dogwoods, and ''Nyssa'', the tupelos; the latter is often placed, together with the Dove tree ''Davidia'' and the Happy tree ''Camptotheca'', in a separate family, the Nyssaceae.
All members of the family have simple leaves and most are deciduous and have attractive fall foliage; some ''Cornus'' are however evergreen.
The genus ''Griselinia'' formerly often included in the Cornaceae, is now placed in its own family, Griseliniaceae.
The genus ''Aucuba'', formerly often included in the Cornaceae, has now been transferred to the family Garryaceae.