The dogwood is the state tree for my home state of Missouri. It is also the state tree and state flower of Virginia, and the state flower of North Carolina. Popular indeed! While the flower appears to be pink, the pink petals are actually “bracts”. The green center parts are the real flowers. One single flower bud is open in the center of the front dogwood blossom. Flowers of these type are called “composite flowers”. Sunflowers and daisies are also composite flowers. Dogwoods are my favorite flowering tree. The white ones grow wild here, but pink dogwood trees are harder to find.