Maturing blooms of the dogwood, Cornus Kousa \Southern Cross\". Each bloom appears to be a single flower; in fact, it consists of a mass of small flow

---

Maturing blooms of the dogwood, Cornus Kousa \Southern Cross\". Each bloom appears to be a single flower; in fact, it consists of a mass of small flowers arranged in a cyme (green ), at the centre of an involucre consisting of four large bracts. The bracts - the visual equivalent of petals - are initially white in colour, but eventually develop brilliant scarlet markings towards their tips, before withering and falling away. \"Southern Cross\" is a garden selection, originating from New Zealand. It makes an outstanding specimen tree for small gardens, with a floral display followed by scarlet coloured fruits and red autumn leaf colours. The picture is of a tree growing in Norfolk UK in June"

---

Size: 3468px × 5212px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: biological, biology, botanical, botany, bract, bracts, cornus, cross, cyme, dogwood, flower, garden, involucral, involucre, kousa, plant, southern