Cornus alternifolia          Cornaceae

Pagoda Dogwood         KOR-nus al-ter-ni-FO-li-a

• Deciduous tree/shrub, 15-25 ft (4.5-8 m) tall, spreading, horizontal, low branching, (branches in tiers on main trunk, hence the "pagoda dogwood").  Leaves are arranged in an alternate manner along the twig, but crowded near ends of twigs and appear as if whorled, 4-13 cm long, dark green above and whitish below.  Foliage red in autumn.  Flowers yellowish-white, borne in flat-topped clusters (cymes), 4-6.5 cm across, not very showy.  Fruit bluish-black, about 7 mm diam., ripens in midsummer.
• Sun to part shade.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 3          Native range from New Brunswick east to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Alabama.
• alternifolia: having alternate leaves.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: north side of Buxton dorm.