This native shrub grows in clumps up to 15 feet tall. It has brown stems which turn maroon in winter (D). The leaves are lance-shaped, smooth to the touch, and opposite on green twigs (A). The white flowers have 4 petals and form flat-topped clusters (cymes) (B). The fruit is a blue drupe (C). In comparison, Cornus alternifolia has leaves alternate on the twigs and dark blue fruit. Rough-Leaved Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) has rough leaves and spherical, mostly white fruit.