Dogwood – Philadelphus coronarius

With green smooth-sided 
          oval leaves with curving veins
that turn crimson in autumn
           A hermaphrodite
its flowers encompass
           the female and the male
Small flowers with creamy white petals
           that grow in clusters
Pollinated by insects
           the flowers develop
small black berries
           dogberries

In Victorian times
           a sprig of dogwood
could determine the fortunes
           of the suitor— if she declined
to accept it he was doomed :
           please accept mine

John Lyons