Known scientifically as Cornus florida, this large flowering tree can be found throughout the eastern United States. Give your email id and we'll send your password by email. It was this connection to Virginia’s history that state lawmakers had in mind when they selected the American Dogwood as the Virginia state flower in 1918. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com, What Is The State Flower of Wisconsin? Virginia has various state symbols including the state flag, state flower, state seal, state tree, state fish, and the state flag. Flowering occurs in late April and early May. There are clusters of bright red football shaped fruits, about a half inch long, following the Dogwood flowers and often remain until winter. It is also called the "Old Dominion" because it was the first English possession in the continent. Many refer to the American Dogwood as a flower, but Virginia’s state flower is actually a tree.

The American Dogwood is popular in the northern temperate areas of the United States. Although it is a tree, the flowering dogwood is the state flower of Virginia. There are deeply notched bracts near the cluster of flowers, (this formation is often mistaken for the flower). Thomas Jefferson loved the American Dogwood and had them planted on his Virginia estate during the 1770s. All rights reserved. It was adopted as the state flower in 1918. American Dogwood flowers are highly modified leaves that perform reproductive functions for the plant.

Dogwoods are commonly seen in northern temperate regions of the U.S. The American Dogwood is popular in the northern temperate areas of the United States.

Dogs afflicted with mange were treated using a wash created by boiling the Dogwood’s bark, hence the tree’s name. Wisconsin State Flower, What Is The State Flower Of Wyoming? Very few states in the country including Virginia can claim that their state flower was a favorite to some of the founding fathers of the United States. In fall, the Dogwood’s leaves offer a dazzling display of color in red, orange and scarlet, and its berries are a colorful red. The Dogwood flower bracts are 1-2 inches long and obovate in shape, usually with a cleft at the tip. The state adopted the state flower in 1918. The flowering period in Cornus florida is May. It is also native to the north of Mexico and the eastern parts of North America. These petals are about 0.98 inches broad and 1.2 inches long, rounded with a unique apex. It was selected to foster a feeling of pride in our state and to stimulate an interest in the history and traditions of the Commonwealth. Just let us know the username and we'll send you an email with instructions. In the wild, the American dogwood thrives on dry ridges and the edge of the forests. The dogwood develops red berries in autumn, and the leaves also turn a deep red before falling for winter. Countries By Percentage Of World Population, The Smallest Countries In The World By Total Land Area, Biggest Stadiums in The World By Capacity. Its trunk is covered by a block-like bark that helps to distinguish the Dogwood from other trees when it is not in bloom.

These blooms on Dogwarood are actually not flowers at all, but bracts that attract pollinators toward the tree’s true flowers. American Dogwoods are the hard decidous flowering plants growing to 15 to 20 feet tall. Privacy Policy, November Birth Flower + More: Chrysanthemum, Title: September Birth Flower + More: Aster. Why Is There a Virginia and a West Virginia? Learn more about its history, origin and meaning with our guide. Want to know more about other state flowers!!. Its simple! There is no doubt Thomas Jefferson would approve! In 1918, the state floral emblem commonly known as the American dogwood (Cornus florida) was adopted. Virginia state is located in between 37.531N, 77.474W of the U.S. Virginia's bordering States are Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Our guide covers the aster's history, origin and meaning. The American Dogwood flowers are small and consists … The fruit is a source of food for various bird species which help distribute its seeds. Wyoming State Flower. Thomas Jefferson grew American Dogwood on the grounds of his Virginia estate Monticello in the 1770s.