(Cornus florida)
The Dogwood Family (Cornaceae)
Short tree with opposite, deciduous leaves, large white or pink flowers, alligator skin-like bark and small shiny red drupes.
Habitat:
Deciduous woods, thickets, streams, river banks, shaded areas.
Interesting Facts:
Powder from the twigs and wood used as a tooth whitener, and the bark used as a treatment for malaria. A red dye can be made from the roots and a black dye from the bark. Host to the Spring Azure butterfly.
Fruit:
A shiny, oval red drupe, .25 - .5” long, in clusters of 3 to 5.
Flower:
Appearing in mid-spring, the flowers are in small green tight clusters surrounded by 4 showy large white or pink bracts, 2” in diameter.
Wildlife value:
Drupes are a common food source for birds as well as small and large mammals. Attracts native bees and beneficial insects.
Fruit
Flower
Bark
Leaf type:
Simple
Pollinator:
Wildlife value:
Tree dimensions:
Leaf length: 3.00-5.00 inches
Tree height: 20.00-40.00 feet
Where to find Flowering Dogwood on the Louisiana State Arboretum Trails:
BCY - Bald Cypress Loop 10.0
Refer to our Live Map to locate this species and its interpretative signage on the trail system.