Maturing blooms of the dogwood, Cornus Kousa "Southern Cross". Each bloom appears to be a single flower; in fact, it consists of a mass of small flowers arranged in a cyme (green ), at the centre of an involucre consisting of four large bracts. The bracts - the visual equivalent of petals - are initially white in colour, but eventually develop brilliant scarlet markings towards their tips, before withering and falling away. "Southern Cross" is a garden selection, originating from New Zealand. It makes an outstanding specimen tree for small gardens, with a floral display followed by scarlet coloured fruits and red autumn leaf colours. The picture is of a tree growing in Norfolk UK in June