The 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.

Two other genera, Aucuba, or spotted laurel, and Griselinia, are also sometimes placed in their own families, Aucubaceae and Griseliniaceae respectively.

All members of the family have simple leaves and most are deciduous and have attractive fall foliage, though Aucuba and Griselinia are evergreen.