Order: Cornales
Family: Cornaceae
Genus: Cornus
Species: C. sericea
Identifying Characteristics:
- height: 1.5–4 m tall and 3–5 m wide, spreading readily by underground stolons to form dense thickets
-The branches and twigs are dark red, although wild plants may lack this coloration in shaded areas
- leaves :are opposite, 5–12 cm long and 2.5–6 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin; they are dark green above and glaucous below; fall color is commonly bright red to purple
- flowers: are small (5–10 mm diameter), dull white, in clusters 3–6 cm diameter
Special Adaptations:
- A characteristic species of swamps, low meadows, and riparian zones; also found in forest openings, open forest understories, and along forest margins
- Prefers rich, moist soils with pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. High levels of mineral nutrients needed for vigorous growth.
- Tolerates flooding and, consequently, is found on floodplains and wetlands and is often one of the first shrubs to invade wet meadows.
- Seeds germinate above water level, but after several years growth, the plants can live with the roots submerged in water for most of the growing season. Plants on such wet sites are found in mineral rich swamps or fens and not in nutrient poor sphagnum bogs.
- Needs moderate to full sunlight. Its natural occurrence in full sunlight may be facilitated by its growth in wet situations where it encounters no water stress.
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