CORNACEAE 



DOGWOOD FAMILY 



FLOWERING DOGWOOD 



Cornus florid a 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 

 I 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 ; 



'i'he scarlet tulip blowing ; 

 And white — ay, white as my love's throat — 



The dogwood boughs are glowing. 



April Weather — Lizette Woodsworth Rf.ese 



225 



