The Dogwoods & Blackgums
What are they?
A group of woody shrubs and trees. Some species of dogwood are spectacular in flower and are popular as garden ornamentals. The blackgums are less spectacular in flower, but have dramatic fall color. In the past, blackgums were considered to be members of the dogwood family, but more recently they have been placed in a family of their own.
Where are they found?
As wild plants, dogwoods are large shrubs or small trees of the woodland understory. Blackgums are generally woodland trees and are typically found in wetland areas, often being a main constituent of swamp woods.
Identification
Dogwoods can be identified by a neat trick - tear a leaf gently across the middle and the two halves will stay 'magically' joined together due to the presence of latex in the plant sap. Though this can be done with a number of tropical trees, these are the only plants that have this feature in our area. The various species found around Cape May are all relatively easy to identify from their leaves, while flowers and fruit also help in the right season. The large white 'flowers' of some dogwoods are actually colored bracts; the flowers are usually yellowish and found in a cluster at the center of the bracts.
Alternate-leaved Dogwood Cornus alternifolia
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
Gray Dogwood Cornus racemosa
(Swamp Dogwood) A scarce understory shrub of woodland and shady places. Flowers May to June. Similar to Alternate-leaved Dogwood but leaves opposite, with scattered hairs beneath and on the leaf stem.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
few bristly hairs |
 |
 |
| |
|
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
A large shrub or small tree of open woodland and light shade on acid soils. Sometimes planted as an ornamental, so may also be found in urban and suburban areas in other habitats. Flowers late April to June. A spectacular plant when in flower; some plants of ornamental origin may have pink flower bracts, or bracts of exceptional size. Flower buds form the previous fall and the swollen buds can be seen at the ends of many branches through the winter.
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
flowering bract |
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
| latex sap |
|
|
|
Blackgum Nyssa sylvatica
(Sourgum) A medium- or occasionally large-sized tree of wet, swampy woodlands. Sometimes planted in drier situations. Flowers May to June. Best identified by its very glossy leaves and, in fall, by its black berries and dazzling red early fall color. Male and female flowers are carried on separate trees.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|