Pale Dogwood (Cornus obliqua) Rafinesque, 1819 |
Synonyms: Cornus amomum subsp. Obliqua, Cornus amomum var. schuetzeana, Cornus purpusii, Swida purpusii, Silky Dogwood |
Cornus obliqua is a shrub found in eastern North America from the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic Coast. It grows in riparian woodlands, lake shorelines, meadows, and marshy areas; at 0-1,500 m. Up to 5 m in height. Bark greenish, turning red-maroon in autumn. Leaves are lanceolate to elliptic. Flowers have 4 cream-coloured petals, arranged in flat-topped or convex inflorescences. Fruits are blue drupes, 5-9 mm in diameter. This species flowers from March through August, and fruits from August to October. C. obliqua is sometimes included in Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum).