Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Cornales>Cornaceae>Cornus amomum P. Miller

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) flowers

Also known as Swamp Dogwood, Silky Dogwood is a common medium-sized shrub found along streams and in other wet areas.

Haywood Co., NC 6/13/2009.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) flowers

Clusters of small white flowers appear in late spring or early summer. They are a favorite nectar source for butterflies, such as this Silver-spotted Skipper.

Haywood Co., NC 6/13/2009.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) fruit

The drupes turn from white to blue/lavender as they ripen.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/13/09.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) fruit

Ripening fruits.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/13/09.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) fruit

Ripening fruits.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/13/09.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

Leaf undersides and uppersides are silky-hairy.

Orange Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

As are young branches.

Orange Co., NC 5/7/2011.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) leaves

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 (Cornus foemina).

Orange Co., NC 6/22/2003.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

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

Orange Co., NC 5/12/2002.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) flowers

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.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) flowers

Alleghany Co., NC 7/3/05.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) flowers

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) flowers

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) fruits

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) bark

Bark of a sapling.

Orange Co., NC 6/22/2003.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) bark

Bark of a larger tree.

Grayson Co., VA 7/3/06.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum) bark

Orange Co., NC 5/7/2011.

More information:
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Wetland Plants of the Carolinas

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides