Cornus florida

One of the most beautiful spring trees in the state, with showy petals of white or pink

Cornus florida flowering dogwood

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA Synonyms:   Beanthamidia florida

White or pink flowering spring tree with widely spreading horizontal branches and showy, long-lasting blooms.  This beautiful deciduous tree grows up to 10 m tall and can be single or multi-trunked.  Fruits of deep red color form in August and the scarlet red fall foliage makes this tree attractive throughout the season.  The pink and white petals are actually bracts, the flowers themselves are tiny, in the center.

Rich, moist woods, forest edges, and old fields. 

Present throughout the state.

Wetland codes
EMP: FACU
NCNE: FACU



Flowers in early May; leaves follow flowers.

Fruits appear in August and are fully ripe in September.

Leaves  simple, opposite

Flowers  small, yellow-green, clustered, and surrounded by 4 large, showy white bracts.

Fruits  ellipsoid, of bright red color.

S-rank:  S5 (Secure)
G-rank:  G5 (Secure)

Cornus florida flowering dogwood

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA
Synonyms:   Beanthamidia florida
Cornus florida gallery
Plant Life-Form
deciduous tree
Common Names
flowering dogwood