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Click on thumbnails to enlarge.	In 1918, the state floral emblem commonly known as the American dogwood (Cornus florida) was adopted. 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. In 1956, the state adopted the American dogwood as the official tree. The dogwood is well distributed throughout the Commonwealth, and its beauty is symbolic of the many attractive features of Virginia. The dogwood blooms in early spring and its blossom is a tiny cluster of flowers surrounded by four white leaves that look like petals. No tree says "Southern" better than the flowering dogwood.
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
	The flowering dogwood puts on a second show in the fall, with its red leaves and bright red berries.

The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

At the time of the Crucifixian, the dogwood tree grew tall like other forest trees. Its wood was strong and firm, and so it was chosen to create the cross. To be used for such cruelty grieved the dogwood tree. Jesus sensed this and said: "Because of your sorrow for My suffering, I promise this: Never again shall the dogwood grow large enough to be used as a cross. It shall be slender and twisted. Its blossoms shall resemble a cross with two long and two short petals. On the edge of each petal there shall be nail prints, as if browned with rust and stained with blood, and a crown of thorns will grow at the center of each flower. All who see it will remember that it was upon this tree that I was crucified, and the dogwood shall be cherished as a reminder of My agony and death upon the cross."

Want to see what happens to the red berries on my dogwood tree every September? Click on this thumbnail and enjoy. Please be patient; its worth the wait!

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WebMistress: Barbara Anders
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Site launched January 1, 1999.
Site updated March 4, 2007.
[CyberSalad] [State of Mine] [Overview] [Made in Virginia] [State Map] [State Flower]
[State Bird] [State Flag] [Famous Virginians] [Did you Know?] [Take the Tour]