Small tree or large shrub, to about 7 ft tall.  Leaves have veins that parallel the leaf edges, typical of dogwoods, but the leaves are alternate, not opposite each other in pairs as in other dogwoods.  Masses of small white flowers, with 4 petals, in May.  Fruits are blue-black berries in late summer.

An occasional understory tree in the forest, and along Wildwood Drive.

The leaf veins are characteristic of dogwoods, but no other dogwood has alternate leaves.  Flowering dogwood (C. florida) has fewer flowers, surrounded by large white petal-like bracts, which give the impression of one large flower.