Cornus alternifolia

Cornus alternifolia, commonly known as alternate-leaved dogwood and pagoda dogwood is in the dogwood or Cornaceae family. It is native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to southern Manitoba and Minnesota, and south to northern Florida and Mississippi.

• Leaves are simple, elliptic to ovate and grow to 5–13 cm long and 2.5–5 cm broad, arranged alternately on the stems, not in opposite pairs typical of the majority of Cornus species. Veins curve towards the tips of leaves; they are generally in whorl-like clusters at the ends of twigs.
• Species is monoecious. Flowers are small, pale white, with 4 petals, in inflorescences 5 to 12 cm across; developing berries are round, dark blue, 8mm across.