The flowering dogwood, scientifically known as Cornus florida, is the state flower and tree of Virginia. It is abundant in the eastern United States and has historical significance. The tree can grow over 30 meters in height and its flowers attract pollinators. It is also the state flower of North Carolina and the state tree of Missouri.
Although it is a tree, the flowering dogwood is the state flower of Virginia. Known scientifically as Cornus florida, this large flowering tree is found throughout the eastern United States. It was adopted as the state flower in 1918. It also became the state tree of Virginia in 1956.
Cornus florida is more commonly known as flowering dogwood or American dogwood. It is abundant in the eastern half of the United States. It can be found as far north as Maine and as far south as Florida. Moving west, it can be found in parts of Texas and Illinois. A subspecies of this flowering tree, Cornus florida urbiniana, is also found in parts of eastern Mexico.
The individual flowers of the flowering dogwood are rather inconspicuous. They are yellowish green and very small. Typically, they are grouped in clusters of about 20. These clusters are surrounded by special leaves, known as bracts.
There are usually four bracts surrounding American dogwood flower clusters. They are usually bright white and can grow up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. The tips of these bracts have slits. The bracts surrounding the Virginia state flower help attract bees and other pollinators to the flowers.
The American dogwood is a rather large tree, sometimes growing over 30 meters in height. The trunk of the tree can reach more than 9.1 feet (1 centimeters) in diameter. In spring, the state flower of Virginia can be seen covering these trees. These flowers later become bright red fruit in the fall, before the tree drops its leaves in winter.
When state legislators met in 1918 to decide on Virginia’s state flower, they wanted something that represented the state’s history. Not only is flowering dogwood abundant in the area, it also has historical significance. Thomas Jefferson had the state flower of Virginia planted on his Monticello estate.
Along with Virginia, the American dogwood is also the state flower of North Carolina. Missouri has adopted the dogwood as its state tree. Virginia is one of the few states, however, that has the same state flower as the state tree.
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