| Also known as Swamp Dogwood, Silky Dogwood is a common medium-sized shrub found along streams and in other wet areas. Haywood Co., NC 6/13/2009.
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| Clusters of small white flowers appear in late spring or early summer. They are a favorite nectar source for butterflies, such as this Silver-spotted Skipper. Haywood Co., NC 6/13/2009.
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| The drupes turn from white to blue/lavender as they ripen. Alleghany Co., NC 9/13/09.
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| Ripening fruits. Alleghany Co., NC 9/13/09.
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| Ripening fruits. Alleghany Co., NC 9/13/09.
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| Leaf undersides and uppersides are silky-hairy. Orange Co., NC 5/7/2011.
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| As are young branches. Orange Co., NC 5/7/2011.
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| The leaves are opposite, simple, and have prominent veins. The veins curve inwards as they near the edge of the leaf. The pith of branchlets is brown, unlike the white pith of the similar Stiff Dogwood (Cornus foemina). Orange Co., NC 6/22/2003.
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| The leaves are similar to those of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), but the flower clusters do not have large, showy white bracts. Orange Co., NC 5/12/2002.
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| Swamp Dogwood is fairly common throughout the Mountains and Piedmont of NC, uncommon to rare in the Coastal Plain. Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.
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| Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.
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| Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.
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| Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.
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| Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.
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| Bark of a sapling. Orange Co., NC 6/22/2003. |
| Bark of a larger tree. Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.
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| Orange Co., NC 5/7/2011.
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More information:
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Wetland Plants of the Carolinas
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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