Flowering Dogwood (American Dogwood)
Cornus florida · Cornaceae (Dogwood family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Elliptic to ovate with an acuminate tip
Margin
Entire to slightly wavy
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Arcuate venation, where secondary veins curve strongly upward toward the leaf tip
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, simple leaves with distinctive arcuate (curved) venation, entire margins, and rounded flower buds resembling small buttons on twig ends
Description
Cornus florida is a small deciduous tree prized for its stunning spring floral displays, which are actually four large petal-like white or pink bracts surrounding true tiny flowers. It features distinctive alligatored bark on mature trunks, glossy green leaves that curve gracefully along arcuate veins, and clusters of shiny red berries in the fall.
Habitat
Understory of deciduous forests, woodland edges, and moist, well-draining soils with partial shade
Native Range
Native to eastern North America from southern Maine south to northern Florida, and west to Texas and Ontario, Canada