266 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



ALTERNATE-LEAVED CORNEL OR 



DOGWOOD 

 Cormis alternifolia Dogwood Family 



Fruit. The small deep blue drupes grow in 

 an irregularly branched drooping cyme. Pedun- 

 cles and pedicels are a deep red. The flesh of 

 the drupe is scanty, white or pinkish, and of 

 a pithy texture. There is but one stone, which 

 is globose and usually two-seeded. The style 

 projects through the minute calyx tube, at the 

 summit of the fruit. The drupe is tenaciously 

 bitter. It ripens in early August, being one of 

 the first Dogwoods to fruit. 



Leaves. The alternate leaves usually grow 

 in clusters at the ends of the branches. They 

 are entire or minutely toothed, and ovate or 

 oval. The pointed apex is long drawn out and 

 the base is rounded or acute. The upper surface 

 is shining and dark green ; the lower one, whit- 

 ened and covered with fine hairs, especially along 

 the veins. The veins are prominent on the 

 under surface, looking like tiny cords running 

 through the leaf. The petiole has a grooved 

 upper surface. Yellow or yellow and scarlet are 

 the fall colors. 



