Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Seneca Name
Gahsi:sad
Common Name
Location
Earth is Our Mother Trail
GPS Coordinates
N 42°58.063' W077°25.350'
The flowering dogwood is a small tree (30') with a short trunk and a crown of spreading or nearly horizontal branches. The leaves are elliptical (2.5-5" long, 1.5-2.5" width) and do not appear toothed (tiny teeth are visible under magnification). The leaves are green and have curved veins on each side of the midvein. The Fall foliage color is bright red. The Spring blooms are exceptionally beautiful and this along with the Fall color has made this a prized ornamental tree in gardens and landscaping. The actual flowers are tiny (5mm) with yellowish-green petals at the center of the flower heads. The flowers are surrounded by 4 large white petal-likebracts that make up the striking portion of the flower heads.