Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Cornales>Cornaceae>Cornus asperifolia Michaux

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Very rare in North Carolina, Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood is a small tree restricted to shell middens and calcareous bottomlands in the southeastern corner of the state. Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood has a scattered distribution in five southeastern states, from NC to Alabama. This species has occasionally been lumped with the Midwestern Roughleaf Dogwood (C. drummondii), which does not occur in NC.

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 4/14/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Similar to the more common Stiff Dogwood (Cornus stricta), with which it may hybridize, Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood is distinguished by the erect hairs on the undersides of the leaves; those of Southern Swamp Dogwood are appressed or absent.

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 4/14/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Close-up of leaf undersides.

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 4/14/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 8/12/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 8/12/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 8/12/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 8/12/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Bark detail.

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 4/14/07.

Eastern Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus asperifolia)

Rocky Point, Pender Co., NC 8/12/07.

More information:
Trees of the Maritime Forest
USDA PLANTS database

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides