June 26, 2011
Arrowwood Viburnum, Viburnum recognitum (left)
and Silky Dogwood, Cornus amomum (right)
Although the flower clusters of some viburnums and dogwoods superficially look alike, it is easy to distinguish between the two genera by looking at the petals. Viburnum flowers have 5 petals, those of dogwoods have 4.
When the shrubs are not in flower, identification is more difficult. Both shrubs have opposite leaf placement and simple leaves. One ID clue is that dogwood leaves never have teeth, while some viburnums do - such as the one pictured here. Also, if you carefully tear a dogwood leaf perpendicular to the stem, the two pieces will remain attached by tiny threads. Viburnum leaves simply tear apart.