FLOWERING DOGWOOD

FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus florida)

Flowering dogwood is an unusually beautiful shrub or small tree and probably occurs naturally only in York County. It reaches a height of 12-20 feet.

The leaves are opposite, entire, ovate to elliptic, bright green and smooth above, pale green and with hairs on the veins beneath. They are 3-6 inches long.

The flowers are conspicuous and appear early in the spring. They are greenish white or yellowish and are arranged in dense umbels surrounded by a large, white petal-like bracts which give the appearance of large spreading flowers.

The fruit is a bright red, ellipsoid drupe about 1/2 inch long and occurs in clusters.

The twigs are smooth, greenish, and angular. The buds are covered by 2 valve-like scales.