Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Cornales>Cornaceae>Cornus racemosa Lam.

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)

Very rare in North Carolina, this medium-sized shrub is known only from Orange County.

Mason Farm, Orange Co., NC 9/30/05.

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)

The leaves are similar to those of Swamp Dogwood (C. amomum), but the hairs on the undersides of the leaves are short and straight instead of long and curved. The leaf undersides are whitish.

Mason Farm, Orange Co., NC 9/30/05.

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) fruits

The most distinctive difference is the bright white fruits on reddish pedicels. The drupes of Swamp Dogwood are blue, as are those of Stiff Dogwood (C. foemina).

Mason Farm, Orange Co., NC 9/30/05.

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) bark

Bark detail.

Mason Farm, Orange Co., NC 9/30/05.

More information:
Missouri Plants
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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