Cornus sericea

Native to North America, this plant is a deciduous shrub usually reaching about ten feet tall. It spreads into thickets as low branches root where they touch the ground. Young stems are red, becoming especially conspicuous after the leaves fall. Its opposite, oval leaves have smooth margins, pointed tips, pale undersides and several pairs of curved veins. Flat-topped clusters of small white to cream flowers have four petals and four stamens. Round, whitish to bluish fruits enclose a hard stone. The species grows along streams, in wetlands and in moist woodland openings. Its flexible stems have traditionally been used in basket weaving, and it is cultivated for its colorful winter branches. Photographed in Virginia.