Dogwood is popular by a number of different names like ‘false boxwood’, ‘cornelian tree’, ‘Florida dogwood’, ‘spindle tree’, ‘bird cherry’ and ‘Nature’s mistake’.

Dogwood flowers are quite unique. The four green-yellow petals of the flower are actually modified leaves. These simple oval leaves are placed in opposite manner. The actual flowers which appear in a cluster of about 20 yellowish flowers emerge from the centre of these four bracts. Depending on the different species of the plant, the colour of the bracts may change to red or pink. The plant flowers from early April to early May. During fall, the upper end of the wine coloured leaves changes its colour to scarlet or orange and the fruits which appear in bunches ripen and turn bright red. These edible fruits are very tasty.

This deciduous plant exists extensively in Canada and North America, the middle Atlantic region and the southern states of New England to Minnesota. Dogwood grows best in partial shade and in soil that is devoid of salt.

Though dogwood is noted for its beauty, it has other uses too. Dogwood is found to cure toothaches and whooping-coughs. Oil is extracted from the fruit of a species which then is used to make soap in France. The wood of the plant is also used to make furniture. Dogwood is the state flower of North Carolina.