Dogwood Family (Cornaceae)

• gray dogwood​

Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)

• ​foxglove beard tongue

---

gray dogwood

Cornus racemosa

Mnemonic help
Dogwood shrubs are one of the few groups of opposite branched woody plants. To remember the types
that are opposite, use the saying "MADcapHorse" which stands for Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Caprifoliaceae (the plant family of honeysuckles and viburnums) and Horse Chestnut.
 
Gray dogwood is Nachusa’s most common dogwood. The bushes form clones, especially in areas of frequent fire. These thickets are important for bird nesting and animal cover. It has a domed-shaped cluster of pale flowers that attract many pollinators. The subsequent white berries are relished by many birds and mammals.

Scientific name origin
Cornus is derived from the Latin name from ‘cornu,’ a horn; alluding to the hardness of the wood, and racemosa is from the Latin meaning "clustered", referring to the the arrangement of the flowers on the shrub.

foxglove beard tongue

Penstemon digitalis

Long tongues required for this pollinating job
Long-tongued bees including honeybees, bumblebees and others are the best pollinators for this plant. A sharp observer will see foot prints inside the flower tube left by a foraging bumblebee after it exits.

Scientific name origin
Penstemon is Greek for 5-threads due to the 5 stamens in the flower, and digitalis is Latin for finger (the closed flower somewhat resembles a fingertip).