From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :
Dogwood \Dog"wood`\ (-w[oo^]d`), n. [So named from skewers
(dags) being made of it. Dr. Prior. See Dag, and Dagger.]
(Bot.)
The Cornus, a genus of large shrubs or small trees, the
wood of which is exceedingly hard, and serviceable for many
purposes.
Note: There are several species, one of which, Cornus
mascula, called also cornelian cherry, bears a red
acid berry. C. florida is the flowering dogwood, a
small American tree with very showy blossoms.
Dogwood tree.
(a) The dogwood or Cornus.
(b) A papilionaceous tree ({Piscidia erythrina) growing in
Jamaica. It has narcotic properties; -- called also
Jamaica dogwood.
When dogwood is in full bloom here, so are wisteria (well, really a vine, but some people shape the vines like trees...), black cherry (extraordinarily, thickly covered with two-inch white composite blossoms looking like Persian cat tails), and the redbud blossoms are on the demise.
Botanical regards,
WordWoods
