Shrub or small tree to 5 m (15 ft) tall. Twigs thin, brown to reddish, with white pith. Leaves opposite, broadly lanceolate to narrowly elliptic-ovate, 2.5-7 cm (1-2.8 in) long and 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 in) wide, tapering to a long narrow tip, smooth dark green above, pale green below. Flowers numerous, small, white or greenish-white, blooming in Spring. Fruits bluish, round, about 6 mm (0.25 in) in diameter, maturing in Fall.
Distribution: Native to about the southeastern quarter of the U. S.
Habitat: Swamps and floodplain forests.
NWI status: FACW
Comment: Cornus is derived from the Latin word for horn, referring to the hard wood; foemina is an obscure reference to "female", perhaps because the plant is smaller and more slender than other dogwoods.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
BACK
NEXT
RETURN TO INDEX
Last update: 9/9/99
Go to Oklahoma Biological Survey Home Page
Disclaimer