CORNACEAE DOGWOOD FAMILY 
FLOWERING DOGWOOD 
Cornus florida L. 
This is the state flower of Virginia and it well merits 
the honor. Though frequently recommended for ornamen- 
tal planting it might be used even more extensively. It is 
rather difficult to trans- 
plant, however, and 
seems to thrive best 
when the hole in which it 
is planted is filled with 
soil taken from beneath 
a living Dogwood tree. 
The bark is very rough 
and the wood hard, 
strong and capable of 
taking a high polish. 
In Illinois this small 
tree is quite common in 
moist forest regions of the 
state, but is rare or absent 
elsewhere. It grows in dry 
or well-drained situations 
from southern Maine and 
Ontario to southern Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas. 
Specimens 40 feet high are occasionally found. 
The leaves are opposite, dark green above and paler beneath, 
and nearly smooth except for some hairs on the veins below. 
The tree is very beautiful when in bloom in May and again 
when the fruits are ripening in September or October. The 
flowers are small and yellowish green, arranged in a little cluster 
which is surrounded by 4 large white petallike bracts as shown. 
Each flower consists of a 4-lobed calyx, 4 petals, 4 stamens and 
1 pistil. The stone fruits resemble little plums and are bright 
red when ripe. They are eaten in great quantities by squirrels 
and birds. 
The thrush is back with his old note; 
The searlet tulip blowing; 
And white—ay, white as my love’s throat— 
The dogwood boughs are glowing. 
April Weather—LI1zZETTE WOODSWORTH REESE 
225 
