Leaf Identification
The Flowering Dogwood has 3″ to 6″ long, ovate to obovate leaves. They are a dark green and turn red in the fall. The venation of the leaves is arcuate (curls upwards toward the tip).
Twig and Bud Identification
The twig of the Flowering Dogwood is straight, as opposed to zig zag. Leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem (each leaf branches off the stem at the same height and opposite of another leaf). Multiple flower buds are at the end of each stem. Leaf buds are found laterally, and are not globular as the flower buds are.
Bark Identification
The Flowering Dogwood has reddish-tan to dark brown bark. It is either broken into round or squarish blocky scales.
Fruit Identification
The fruit of the Flowering Dogwood are bright red, berry-like drupes. They are in clusters and egg-shaped that are 1/2″ long. The fruits ripen at the beginning of fall.
[photo forthcoming]
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Flowering Dogwood are white. They are made up of 4 petal-like bracts that have a 3″ to 4″ diameter, with tiny greenish-yellow flowers at the center of the bracts. They bloom in April.
‘Appalachian Spring’ Identification
The ‘Appalachian Spring’ cultivar has a near 100% resistance to Anthracnose. It is also noticeable for having larger fruit compared to the wild-type Flowering Dogwood.