Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

The flowering dogwood is a small tree that is common in the forest understory. In the spring, the dogwood tree looks as if it is covered with white or pink flowers. In reality, the white or pink "petals" are actually "bracts." Bracts are modified leaves that surround flowers. In dogwoods, about 20 very small flowers cluster at the center of four white or pink bracts. It is thought that the colorful bracts help guide insects and birds to the small flowers and their fruit.

The flowering dogwood is one of the first trees to have its leaves change colors. Its leaves change from green to deep red in September. At this time, the fruit of the dogwood tree is plentiful. It is thought that the deep red color of the leaves helps attract migrating birds to the bright red berries. Dogwood fruit is an important source of food for migrating birds. Bird watchers have recorded 86 different species of birds that eat dogwood fruit. In this way, dogwood trees play an important role in the ecosystem. They provide food for traveling birds during a long journey.