Dogwood Days Of Springtime
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Dogwood Days Of Springtime
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
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Flowering Dogwood
Genus: Cornus
Family : Cornaceae
The stretch of Pacific Coast from Vancouver Island through to San Diego is home to a flowering tree, the Pacific Dogwood - which is also the floral emblem of the province in Canada I live in (British Columbia).
In full bloom, the tree is a pretty sight; butterflies think so, too: they are attracted to them. A special note here: what look to be flowers on the dogwood trees in springtime are not really flowers at all; rather, they are each a type of leaf called a bract. [The tiny, tightly packed greenish cluster in the centre of each bract is actually the flower.
The bark of the dogwood tree is high in tannic acid, and people used to make a tea from the bark for fevers. It was powerful, and thought to be more effective than quinine in treating malaria.
Native Americans knew it was time to start planting corn when the dogwood started flowering. And, in autumn, small multi-seeded fruits appear which can be used for jam (something else I wasn't aware of; perhaps the birds, who are fond of them, ate them before I could spot them.]
The dogwood is used frequently as an ornamental landscape tree, and since it is used this way where I live, finding out the hardwood is used for many things surprised me: golf clubs, shuttles, and piano keys; also bows, arrows, harpoon shafts, and knitting needles.
In Victorian days, dogwoods symbolized affection; if a woman received a sprig of dogwood, it meant someone was interested in her & if she kept it, it meant the feelings were mutual.
Sources:
The Encyclopedia of North American Trees [S. Benvie]
Plants of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland [C.Vaner]
Flowering Shrubs : A Gardener's Guide [Negus; Strong]
The Herbalist Almanac [C. & D. Meyer]
and, of course, thank you Google!
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You know it's a perfect spring day when you are witness to dogwood trees in full bloom, sailboats on the water, and couples enjoying some peace and relaxation in the park. An idyllic scene captured; then my original photograph digitally reworked, with an added touch of nostalgic softness.
Uploaded
May 8th, 2019
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