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ALTERNATE-LEAVED DOGWOOD. 



Cornus alternifolia, Linnaeus. 



FORM A small tree usually about 10-20 ft. high but may reach a height of 30 ft. with 

 a diameter of 8 inches. Trunk is short. Crown broad, deep, flat-topped,, and dense. 



BARK Rather thin; on younger stems greenish streaked with white, and smooth; on older 

 stems reddish-brown and roughened by shallow longitudinal fissures which are sometimes joined 

 transversely. 



TWIGS Alternate, rather slender and flexible, smooth, often glossy, at first reddish- 

 green, later dark green and often striped with white; bitter to the taste and emitting an offen- 

 sive smell if punctured; marked with lunate leaf -scars and scattered lenticels. 



BUDS Alternate, rarely opposite, oval, sharp-pointed, covered with a few, usually 2-3, chest- 

 nut-brown scales. Outer scales are often separated towards apex. 



LEAVES Alternate, sometimes opposite, simple, frequently clustered at end of branches, 3-5 

 inches long, 2-3 inches wide, ovate, acuminate at apex, wedge-shaped at base, entire or wavy 

 on margin, bright green above, usually almost white downy below. 



LEAF-SCARS Alternate, sometimes opposite, situate on extensions of the twigs, with 

 their surfaces often at right angles to twigs; in outline resemble the moon in first quarter 

 and containing 3 bundle-scars. 



FLOWERS Appear about April. Cream-colored, perfect, borne in many-flowered terminal 

 cymes. 



FRUIT A dark blue spherical drupe, J of an inch in diameter, tipped with remnants of the 

 style, borne in cymes. Ripens in October. 



WOOD About the same as the flowering dogwood, but no uses of it are reported. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Alternate-leaved Dogwood, also known as Blue 

 Dogwood, Purple Dogwood, Green Osier, and Pigeon-berry, may be distinguished by its alternate 

 branching, reddish-green to dark green twigs, cream-colored flowers and dark blue fruit arranged 

 in cymes. It does not have the alligator bark of the Flowering Dogwood and usually frequents 

 moister habitats. 



RANGE Nova Scotia to Alabama, and westward to Minnesota. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Throughout the State. Common in the portions which are 

 well watered. 



HABITAT Prefers moist well drained soil. Most common along streams and other bodies of 

 water and border of woodlands. Very tolerant of shade. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES The Alternate-leaved Dogwood is of little commercial 

 importance. It is very pretty and may be of value as a soil-conserver and improver. 



