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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 nt apex, wedge-shaped at base, entire or wavy 

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



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

 their surfaces often at right angles to tw:.gs; 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. 



