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, sometimes slightly wavy
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Arcuate venation, where secondary veins curve strongly toward the leaf tip as they approach the margin.
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, entire margins, distinctive arcuate venation where veins curve upward parallel to the leaf edge, and twigs with stalked button-like flower buds.
Description
Cornus florida is a beloved understory small tree or large shrub celebrated for its stunning spring floral displays, which are actually showy bracts surrounding tiny true flowers. It features distinctive alligator-bark texture on older trunks, brilliant red autumn foliage, and clusters of glossy red berries.
Habitat
Understory tree in deciduous forests, preferring well-drained, acidic soils rich in organic matter, with partial shade to full sun.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from southern Maine south to northern Florida, and west to Texas, Illinois, and eastern Kansas.