Also known as Swamp Dogwood, this is an uncommon medium-sized shrub found along streams and in other wet areas.

The leaves are opposite, simple, and have prominent veins. The veins curve inwards as they near the edge of the leaf. The pith of branchlets is brown, unlike the white pith of the similar Stiff Dogwood (C. foemina).

Orange Co., NC 6/22/2003.

The leaves are similar to those of Flowering Dogwood (C. florida), but the flower clusters do not have large, showy white bracts.

Orange Co., NC 5/12/2002.

Swamp Dogwood is fairly common throughout the Mountains and Piedmont of NC, uncommon to rare in the Coastal Plain.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

The drupes are pale bluish when ripe.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

Bark of a sapling.

Orange Co., NC 6/22/2003.

Bark of a larger tree.

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.