The flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, is a small, deciduous tree prized for its spectacular display that signals the arrival of spring. Known for its distinct horizontal branching pattern, this tree is a popular ornamental choice across its native range in eastern North America. To truly appreciate the tree’s striking appearance, it helps to look closely at the structure often referred to as its “flower.”
The Showy Part: Bracts Versus True Flower
The most noticeable feature of the dogwood’s spring display is not a true flower but a set of modified leaves called bracts. These four large, petal-like structures surround the actual flowers and serve to attract pollinators. The entire structure, consisting of the four bracts and the central flower cluster, typically measures between 2 to 4 inches across.
The true flowers are clustered tightly in the center of the four showy bracts, forming a small, inconspicuous head called an inflorescence. This central cluster is typically greenish-yellow and measures only about a quarter of an inch in diameter. Each individual true flower within this cluster is tiny, containing its own separate reproductive organs.
Distinctive Shape and Color Variations
Each of the four bracts is generally rounded or oval in shape and is notable for a distinctive V-shaped indentation, or notch, at its tip. This feature helps distinguish the dogwood from other spring-blooming trees. This small cleft often appears dried out or is tinged with a reddish-brown color, a remnant from when the bracts were tightly enclosed in the winter bud.
The color of the showy bracts is a major component of the dogwood’s visual appeal, with pure white being the most common color in wild species. Cultivated varieties and natural variations present bracts in various shades of pink, from pale blush to intense salmon or rose-red. The color intensity can change as the bloom matures, sometimes deepening over the course of the two to four weeks the “flower” persists. When the bracts first unfurl, they may overlap slightly at the base.
Growth Habit and Seasonal Appearance
The dogwood’s spectacular display appears in early to mid-spring, often before the tree’s true leaves have fully expanded. The timing of the bloom is dependent on the climate, ranging from mid-March in warmer southern regions to late May in northern or high-altitude areas. This early blooming habit ensures the dogwood catches the eye before the forest canopy closes in.
The individual bract clusters are spaced individually along the branches, creating a delicate, scattered effect across the tree’s structure. The blooms typically face upward or are slightly tilted, which is emphasized by the tree’s characteristic horizontal branching pattern. This arrangement results in a visual effect where the white or pink blooms appear to float in layers.