Cornus alternifolia - Pagoda dogwood

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Latin name: Cornus alternifolia
Common name: Pagoda dogwood

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The Pagoda dogwood gets its name from the horizontal branching that makes it look like a pagoda (I think that this may take some imagination. ) Photos above show the winter and summer habit. The scientific name, Cornus alternifolia refers to the fact that the branching pattern is alternate, while most dogwoods have opposite branching.

Winter bud and stem of Cornus alternifolia.

Leaves of Pagoda dogwood. Photo shows the typical "parallel veins" of a dogwood. Leaves are simple and alternate.

Cornus alternifolia - Pagoda dogwood-Picture of dogwood fruit in late June

Fruit and leaves of Pagoda dogwood. The fruit is a drupe that is green during the summer. When the fruit ripens in August it is blue-black with red pedicels. The picture showing fall fruit was taken on August 20, 2008. There were only a few drupes remaining on the tree at that point.

Pagoda dogwood

Cornus alternifolia - Pagoda dogwood

195-38*5 plt

KK-26/area

near thornhill

Send email to Karrenw@aol.com

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