Scientific name: Cornus rasemosa
Family: Cornaceae (Dogwood family)
The Grey Dogwood is native to the Central and Eastern parts of Canada and the United States. It is found along roadsides, woodlands, meadows, forest margins, and riparian zones. It is most commonly found in the understories of forests with moderate to full sunlight. It is frequently planted for its showy flowers and fruits and colorful fall foliage. It will also serve to control erosion near ponds or embankments.
Identification
LEAF: Leaves are simple, opposite, and lance to elliptic in shape. The upper surface is dark green, but the lower surface is pale green to nearly white. Both surfaces have short stiff hairs.
TWIGS AND BUDS: The young stems vary in color from pale green, yellowish-green, to red. The fruit stems are red.
FLOWER: The flowers are creamy-white and measure. The stamens are as long as the petals, and there is a single green-tipped style. The blooms are in clusters at the end of the branches.
FRUIT OR SEED: The fruits are fleshy, rounded white drupes that measure about 0.25 inches in diameter. Each drupe contains 1-2 seeds. The fruit stalks are red during the fall and early winter.
BARK: The older tree’s bark is gray to grayish-brown with many small lenticels.
SHAPE: The shape is rounded and irregular.
MATURE HEIGHT: 10-27 feet.
Information credits: NC State Extension
Photo credits: ©Arthur Haines (Native Plant Trust), Keir Morse, Ryan Hodnett, Steven Baskauf, Kenraiz Krzysztof Ziarnek.
Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum 