CORNUS ALTERNIFOLIA, L. F. 157 



cluster subtended by a very conspicuous 4-leafed involucre 

 (often mistaken for the corolla and constituting all the beauty 

 of the blossom), the leaves of which are white or pinkish, 

 1^- inches long, obovate, curiously notched at the rounded end. 

 The real flowers are insignificant, suggesting the tubular disk 

 flowers of the Compositae ; calyx-tube coherent with the ovary, 

 surmounting it by 4 small teeth ; petals greenish-yellow, oblong, 

 reflexed ; stamens 4; pistil with capitate style. 



Fruit. Ovoid, scarlet drupes, about -J- inch long, united in 

 clusters, persistent till late autumn or till eaten by the birds. 



Horticultural Value. Hardy in southern and southern-central 

 New England, but liable farther north to be killed outright or 

 as far down as the surface of the snow ; not only one of the 

 most attractive small trees on account of its flowers, habit, 

 and foliage, but one of the most useful for shady places or 

 under tall trees. The species, a red-flowering and also a weep- 

 ing variety are obtainable in leading nurseries. Collected 

 plants can be made to succeed. It is a plant of rather slow 

 growth. 



PLATE LXXIX. CORNUS FLORIDA. 



1. Leaf-buds. 



2. Flower-buds. 



3. Flowering branch. 



4. Flower. 



5. Fruiting branch. 



Cornus alternifolia, L. f. 

 DOGWOOD. GREEN OSIER. 



Habitat and Range. Hillsides, open woods and copses, 

 borders of streams and swamps. 



Nova Scotia and New Brunswick along the valley of the St. Law- 

 rence river to the western shores of Lake Superior. 



Common throughout New England. 



South to Georgia and Alabama ; west to Minnesota. 



