The Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is a species of dogwood native to most of Europe and western Asia, occurring north to southern England and southern Scandinavia, and east to the Caspian Sea.
It is a medium to large deciduous shrub, growing 2 - 6 m tall. The leaves are opposite, 4 - 8 cm long and 2 - 4 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin; they are green above, slightly paler below, and rough with short stiff pubescence. The flowers are small (5 - 10 mm diameter), with four creamy white petals, produced in clusters 3 - 5 cm diameter. The fruit is a globose black berry 5 - 8 mm diameter, containing a single seed.
