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 with a slightly wavy or undulating edge
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Arcuate venation, where secondary veins curve strongly toward the leaf tip as they approach the margin
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, arcuate venation where veins curve toward the tip, and distinctive button-shaped flower buds persisting through winter
Description
Cornus florida is a small deciduous understory tree renowned for its stunning spring floral displays, which are actually four large showy bracts surrounding tiny true flowers. It features smooth to alligator-bark texture on mature trunks, distinctive button-like flower buds, and clusters of glossy red berries in autumn.
Habitat
Understory tree in deciduous forests, preferring well-drained, acidic soils rich in organic matter and partial shade
Native Range
Native to eastern North America from southern Maine west to southern Ontario and Illinois, and south to Florida and eastern Texas