American dogwood (Cornus florida) Classic Round Sticker

Cornus florida (American dogwood), aka Flowering dogwood, is native to much of the Eastern and Midwestern US. It is the state tree of North Carolina, the state flower of Missouri, and both for Virginia. Fossils of plants similar to today's Dogwoods have been found to be over 60 million years old. Native Americans used Dogwood as an indicator plant: when it bloomed it was time to plant the corn. That's not what the Latin Cornus means, tho: it means "horned", describing the way the trunk branches off close to the ground. The fruit is important to migrating birds: it fuels them on their journeys, and in turn they scatter the seeds. The nectar is great for pollinators, too, and is a host plant for butterflies and moths. Humans have used the Dogwood in various medicinal ways: the bark was used as an effective substitute for quinine (malaria drug) during the Civil War, and frayed twigs were used for toothbrushes. Some sources say the fruit can be made into jam, but others say it is poisonous to people (you have been warned!). The wood is hard and dense, so is used in products such as tool handles, golf club heads and jewelers' blocks. Today people love planting Dogwoods because they are beautiful, and one of the first signs that Spring is fully in bloom. If you can't wait until then, these decals will brighten up your laptop, water bottle or notebook, decorate a gift, or celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day, Pollinator Week and the gardeners, educators and volunteers that help our greens paces and wildlife to thrive.