Gray Dogwood

Gray Dogwood Cornus racemosaGray dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is found in upland woods throughout Iowa except in the northwest. It is a perennial shrub that grows 6-15 feet, with smooth, gray twigs. The flowers are white, 4-parted; in florescence is a loose branched cluster, and blooms in May-June. 

The fruit is a white berry, on red stems and the leaves are 1.5-4 inches long, pale below, opposite, stalked, and oval to lace-like with a long tip.

gray dogwood bush with white flowers
Gray Dogwood - Photo by Richard Webb, Self-employed horticulturalist, Bugwood.org