Dogwood tree blossoms are actually leaves referred to as bracts.
The flowering dogwood, one of America's most beloved trees, is of the Cornus florida species. Although "florida" means "flowering" in Latin, dogwood tree blossoms are actually luxuriant leaves, called bracts that open during springtime in white and vibrant shades of pink and crimson. In autumn the dogwood tree bears bright red fruit that is poisonous to humans, but safe for wildlife consumption.
Name Origin
The dogwood tree is native to the Eastern United States, but accounts differ as to the origin of the dogwood name. One source states that dagwood was the tree's original name, referring to dag, an old word for a meat skewer made from the solid wood of the dogwood tree. Another account maintains that the name was coined after a process where bark from a European dogwood cultivar when boiled in water was used to wash dogs affected with mange.
Dogwood Bark
Found inside the bark of flowering dogwood trees, alkaloid, a nitrogen compound, was used by Native Americans to treat malaria and proved to be a fitting replacement for quinine during the Civil War. Dogwood bark steeped in whiskey helped to treat "the shakes" in pioneer days. American Indians developed scarlet dye from dogwood bark and used the tincture to color eagle feathers and porcupine quills.
Cherokee Princess Dogwood
White dogwood blossom with red petal tips
According to Native American tradition, a jealous warrior ended the life of a beautiful Cherokee princess after she refused him as a suitor. As she lay dying, the princess used a dogwood blossom in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Today American Indians believe that the white flowering dogwood species known as Cherokee Princess produces red petal tips in honor of the slain Cherokee maiden.
Historic Uses
Native Americans fashioned arrows and daggers from the wood of dogwoods, and the blossoming trees indicated it was time to plant the crops. In the 1800s, almost 90 percent of harvested dogwoods went into the manufacture of high-speed shuttles used in weaving for the textile industry. The heavy wood of a dogwood tree becomes smooth with wear, and its resistance to shock enabled the weaving shuttles to withstand breakage. The durable wood was also used for hay forks, rake teeth, small wheel hubs and golf club heads.
Dogwood Legend
Dogwood blossoms open in the shape of a cross.
According to a legend of unknown origin, the wooden cross on which Jesus was crucified was constructed from a dogwood tree. On the day of the crucifixion God pronounced that no dogwood tree would ever grow high enough to be used again for that purpose. Today dogwoods remain understory trees, and each dogwood blossom contains four petals that open in the shape of a cross.
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