The Original Mystery Plant

Winter is a time to remember that natural processes are still occurring, although slowed down a bit. It's also time to remember the days are getting longer, and it won't be too long before more and more flowers will pop out.

The flowers of the small tree pictured here are associated with the large, globose "floral" buds at the ends of the twigs. When these buds open, you will see a very familiar sight- four bright, white (sometimes pink) bracts surrounding a cluster of tiny yellowish- green flowers. Everybody has seen these opening in March. Most people think the flower bears four bright, white petals, but it doesn't.

Trees in full bloom are without doubt one of the showiest and most characteristic displays in the forests of eastern North America, and it is no surprise this species is one of the most popular flowering trees in cultivation, now grown around the world.

The flowers in each cluster eventually form one- seeded fruits, which go from green to shiny, and bright red in the fall. These fruits are nutritious and very popular among birds and mammals, and thus the tree is commonly spread by wildlife.

The leaves start expanding after blooming begins, and each mature leaf is egg- shaped, bright green, and about four inches long. In the autumn, the leaves turn a shade of red or russet. Once they've fallen, the leaves rapidly decompose, returning their nutrients to the ground faster than the leaves of most trees.

The wood is hard and dense and has been used historically as the building material for shuttles and looms in old- time mills. Its blossoms are the state flower of North Carolina and the state tree and flower of Virginia.

Unfortunately, this species is susceptible to various fungal diseases, and there is some threat to natural and cultivated populations from the disease "anthracnose."

This plant is a common component of high-ground forests from southern New England through the upper Midwest and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida. It is known as an "understor" species, usually not a part of the higher canopy, which allows it to tolerate considerable shade. In cultivation it is able to withstand open, sunny sites, but seems to do best with some shade.

Everybody will instantly recognize it when looking at its gorgeous spring flowers and brilliant autumn fruits, but in the winter the best way to identify it is by its bark.

Editor's note: Beginning with this week's issue, we will give the answer to the mystery plant the same week it is published.

Answer to this week's mystery plant

Dogwood

Dr. John Nelson is the curator of the USC Herbarium.

To learn more about the Herbarium, call 777-8196. The

department also offers free plant identification.

www.herbarium.org