| Alternate-leaved Dogwood, also called Alternate-leaf Dogwood or Pagoda Dogwood, is a fairly common large shrub or small tree found primarily in the Mountains in North Carolina, rare in the Piedmont. The alternate name Pagoda Dogwood refers to the horizontal growth habit of the branches. Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.
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| Yellowish-white flower clusters appear in early to mid-May. The veins are deeply impressed in the leaf. Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.
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| Appropriately enough, it differs from other species of Cornus in having alternate leaves -- all our other species are opposite-leaved. The leaves tend to cluster at the ends of branches, so they may look opposite or whorled until closely inspected. The alternate branching pattern is easier to notice. Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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| Grayson Co., VA 5/31/2009.
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| Developing fruits. Grayson Co., VA 5/31/2009.
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| The leaves are otherwise similar to other dogwoods, with the characteristic leaf venation: the veins become nearly parallel to the margin as they approach it. Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.
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| The leaf undersides are glaucous. Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.
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| The inflorescences are similar to most other shrub dogwoods, such as Swamp Dogwood (C. amomum), lacking the white bracts of Flowering Dogwood (C. florida). Clay Co., NC 5/22/2005.
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| Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.
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| The bark on smaller trees is green. Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.
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| Bark of a larger tree, still showing some green. Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/22/2011.
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More information:
NC State
Trees of Wisconsin
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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