Roughleaf Dogwood, leaves unfolding . . . (Cornus asperifolia)) A beautiful small tree, native to Northeast America, found
along the complex edges where the forest shades into open prairie. This is one of the signature flowers of the prairie Summer Solstice.

(See the same tree in its November and April aspect at another Photoweek features,
Roughleaf Dogwood Fall; Roughleaf Dogwood, leaves unfolding) Notice that with this species, in contrast to the much more widely
known and popular flowering dogwoods, the leaves appear before the white flower clusters. The rhythms and seasonal changes
of the Roughleaf Dogwood might make an excellent signature species of the area in which it currently grows, as we carefully
watch and take note of all its varies seasonal changes and modulations, even when the habitat of which it was formerly
part largely no longer exists. 




(Photograph was made Sunday, the 16th of June, 2002)