giant dogwood Cornaceae Cornus
controversa Hemsl. ex Prain
symbol: COCO32
Leaf: Alternate, simple, oval to ovate, 4 to 6 inches long, arcuate venation, green above and paler below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; small, white, in flat-topped clusters, to 7 inches across, appearing in spring.
Fruit: Bluish-black drupe in clusters, (3/8 inch in diameter); fruit stalks turn reddish, ripen in late summer.
Twig: Slender, gray-green and becoming red during winter, with large semi-circular leaf scars; terminal buds scaly, 3/8 inch long, becoming red, ovoid; flower buds nearly round.
Bark: Smooth, dark gray to yellow-gray.
Form: Small to medium-sized tree, may reach 50 feet tall; slender branches often horizontal and tiered.