This time of year there are a host of shrubs and trees blooming out with attractive white flowers. Many are similar in appearance, but when I was a kid, you could ask any third grader to point out our native Pacific Dogwood and they could do it easily. Perhaps not so now. As I searched around the area for blooming dogwoods this week, I found mostly the ornamental ones (pink, and non-native cultivars).
 |
| Not a dogwood tree in sight on this street in Hillsboro! |
The Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) is native to the Northwest and is similar to the Eastern dogwoods. They are blooming now (4/23/2014) in our area, so are easy to spot due to their unique flower configurations. As seen below, the tiny flowers in the middle cluster are surrounded by 4 to 6 large petal-like white leaves (called bracts). These can be 4 to
5 inches across. The trees grow well under the partial shade of larger conifers. They are very slow-growing and can reach 50 feet.
The common name comes from early use of the hard wood to make skewers or "dags." So "dagwood" eventually became "dogwood" according to several sources. Initially, David Douglas thought this tree was identical to the eastern dogwoods. However, in 1835 Thomas Nutall noticed differences in their floral leaves. Hence the Latin name "nuttallii" for this species.
My search for true native dogwoods this year was only mildly successful. I did find a few here and there for photos. Most white-flowered dogwoods you see growing in yards are cultivars based on the native tree. They are still very attractive however!
In Fall, the dogwood leaves turn bright red and the fruit is also a reddish brown spike ball, favored by birds through winter.
 |
| Noble Woods Park |
 |
| Along Highway 219, near Farmington Road intersection. Note the actual blooming flowers in center. |
 |
| Magnificent old tree on Main Street in Hillsboro. |
 |
| Oddly placed tree in Laurel |
No comments:
Post a Comment