Stiff dogwood facts for kids
Cornus foemina is a type of flowering plant. It is often called the stiff dogwood or swamp dogwood. This plant belongs to the Cornaceae family. You can find it growing naturally in the eastern and southeastern parts of the United States.
Quick facts for kids Stiff dogwood |
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| Genus: |
Cornus
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| Species: |
foemina
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Contents
All About the Stiff Dogwood
The stiff dogwood is a fascinating plant. It is known for its pretty white flowers and blue fruits. It also has a special ability to grow in wet places.
What Does the Stiff Dogwood Look Like?
This plant can be a large shrub or a small tree. It can grow up to 15 feet (about 4.5 meters) tall. Its main stems, called trunks, can be up to 4 inches (about 10 centimeters) wide. The bark on the trunk can be smooth or have grooves.
The leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They fall off in the autumn, which means they are deciduous. The leaves are shaped like an oval and have smooth edges.
Flowers and Fruit
The stiff dogwood produces clusters of white flowers. These flowers grow in flat-topped groups. After the flowers bloom, they turn into fruit. The fruit is a blue or purple drupe. A drupe is a type of fruit with a hard pit inside, like a peach or a cherry.
Where Does the Stiff Dogwood Grow?
This plant loves wet places. You will often find it growing in wetlands. It particularly likes swampy conditions. The stiff dogwood can even handle a little bit of salt in the water or soil. This makes it special among many plants.
