Flowering Dogwood (American Dogwood)
Cornus florida · Cornaceae (Dogwood family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Ovate to elliptic with an acuminate tip
Margin
Entire (smooth) with a slightly wavy edge
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Arcuate venation, where secondary veins curve strongly toward and run parallel with the leaf margin
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, entire margins, distinct arcuate venation where veins curve to follow the leaf edge, and twigs with button-like, flattened flower buds
Description
The Flowering Dogwood is a beloved small deciduous understory tree renowned for its stunning spring floral displays, which are actually large showy white or pink bracts surrounding tiny true flowers. It features distinctive alligator-bark texture in older specimens, rich green summer foliage, and bright red clusters of autumn berries.
Habitat
Understory of deciduous forests, moist uplands, and well-drained acidic soils in partial shade to full sun
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from southern Maine south to northern Florida, and west to Texas and Ontario, Canada