For the first edition of the blog, we’d like to feature two gorgeous early bloomers: Cornus officinalis and Acer rubrum.
Cornus officinalis is sometimes called Korean Cornelian Dogwood or Chinese Cornelian Dogwood, but its most popular common name seems to be Japanese Cornelian Dogwood. As you might expect, this species is widespread throughout Asia.
Although not native to North America, many native bird species are able to use its fruits for food. The fruits are also popular with humans. In fact, the species has been grown for food and used in traditional medicines for thousands of years. The taste is described as similar to a sour cranberry.
Several of these beauties are currently on display around the edges of Luther Ely Smith square. Although the plants’ leaves have not grown in yet, their small, bright yellow flowers make them easy to pick out. Most of the flowers are still in their buds as of this writing.
Acer rubrum (Red maple) is also putting on a nice springtime bloom show. The pictured specimen is from a large, mature tree near the entrance of the Shipping and Receiving road (between the south leg of the Arch and the Old Cathedral). Several other red maples are also located on the grounds, especially on the south end. There are a total of 45 red maples in the park!
Red maples are one of the first trees to flower in the spring. The blooms look like small, puffy red balls with yellow pins sticking out of them. Although the spring flowers are stunning, Acer rubrum is best known for its beauty in the fall: they are one of the first trees to change color in the autumn, and their foliage can be magnificent.
Acer rubrum are very abundant and widespread, occurring through basically all of Eastern North America. Like their cousin sugar maple, they can be tapped for syrup. By the way, there are also 8 sugar maples on the park grounds, mainly near the Old Cathedral.