Dogwood Shrub

Hyalophora cecropia

Dogwood Shrub is a small bush that produces lovely flowers in spring. It can be found in gardens and parks!

Habitat: Woodlands and gardens

Appearance

The Dogwood Shrub has vibrant red stems, especially prominent in winter, and oval green leaves that often turn reddish-purple in fall. Its small, yellowish-white flowers grow in dense clusters, sometimes surrounded by large, showy white or pink petal-like bracts.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaGenusHyalophora

Dogwood Shrub

Interesting facts

Its showy 'petals' are actually modified leaves called bracts, not true flower petals!

Native Americans once used its incredibly tough wood to craft arrows and tools!

Some dogwood varieties have such brilliant red stems, they look like fire in the winter snow!

The berries, though often bitter to humans, are a feast for many birds and small mammals!

Special abilities

Dogwood Shrub can change its bark color to vivid red in winter, providing beauty and attracting attention even during the cold season.

Dogwood Shrub produces bright red or white berries that offer crucial food for many birds and wildlife, aiding seed dispersal.

Dogwood Shrub has a strong, spreading root system that helps prevent soil erosion along stream banks and slopes.

Measurements & details

Height: 100-300 cm
Spread: 100-400 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1.5 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

consumes its berries

eats

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

forages on its fruit

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

depends on

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

visits flowers for nectar

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Flowering

These are the plants that produce beautiful blossoms, attracting pollinators and adding splashes of color to our world. Each flower is a tiny marvel!

Shrub

These amazing plants are like nature's bushy sculptures, having woody stems that branch out from the ground to create a lovely, full shape.

Spring Blooming

Celebrate the arrival of warmer weather with these cheerful plants that burst into beautiful flowers as spring awakens the world.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!