Cornus — Cornel — Doowood. 281 



& ' 



catalogues. The fruit consists of red berries, and in 

 autumn the foHage changes ahuost to crimson. C.f. rubra, 

 or the red-flowering variety, is of quite recent introduc- 

 tion. It is much the same as the type, except in the color 

 of the blossom, which may be described as deep rose, 

 dark red, or sometimes pink instead of white. The origi- 

 nal is said to have been discovered on one of the Virginia 

 mountains by a clergyman, through whom it was domesti- 

 cated and introduced to civilized society. Though inter- 

 esting and worthy of extensive planting, it is not more 

 beautiful than the type. It makes a fine single plant, but 

 perhaps the best use to which it can be put is to place it 

 in the shrubbery beside the older forms, when the contrast 

 cannot fail to be especially agreeable. 



C. circinata, round-leaved dogwood, is an American 

 species, growing in moist situations from Canada to 

 Florida. It is from five to ten feet high, with numerous 

 slender branches which form a well-shaped and spreading 

 head. The bark is usually marked with warty dots which 

 fail to add to its beauty, though not especially objectiona- 

 ble. The leaves are oval, abruptly pointed, prominently 

 veined, somewhat rough, and covered with a whitish bloom 

 or down beneath. The flowers are white, in terminal, flat 

 cymes, on bowing footstalks, and appear in May. The 

 fruit is small, pale blue, ripening in early autumn and re- 

 maining until after frost. While not one of the best of 

 the cornels, it proves an acceptable plant for the shrub- 

 bery or border. Unlike most of the species, it prefers a 

 rocky or sandy soil, and proves of good service for such 

 situations. 



