UF Home

Plant Identification Learning Module:
Ornamentals

Dogwood (Cornus florida)

The dogwood is a small deciduous tree that grows from 20 to 30 feet high and wide. The simple leaves are entire, opposite, and up to six inches long. The leaf surface is crinkled and has veins that are markedly curved. Fall leaf color is red. The flowers are small dense heads surrounded by four white bracts. The fruits are round to oval, red, showy drupes which are less than 1/2 inch long.