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Cornus mas - L.

Cornelian Cherry

Author	L.	Botanical references	11, 200
Family	Cornaceae	Genus	Cornus
Synonyms	Cornus mascula - L.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17].
Habitat	Woodlands, especially in calcareous soils[7, 13].
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Shrub growing to 5m by 5m at a medium rate.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Jolico'
'Macrocarpa'
'Nana'
'Variegata'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit.

Edible Uses: Coffee; Oil.

Fruit - raw, dried or used in preserves[2, 3, 7, 9, 13, 183]. Juicy, with a nice acid flavour[11]. The fully ripe fruit has a somewhat plum-like flavour and texture and is very nice eating, but the unripe fruit is rather astringent[K]. It is rather low in pectin and so needs to be used with other fruit when making jam[9]. At one time the fruit was kept in brine and used like olives[183]. The fruit is a reasonable size, up to 15mm long, with a single large seed[K]. A small amount of edible oil can be extracted from the seeds[7]. Seeds are roasted, ground into a powder and used as a coffee substitute[183].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Astringent; Febrifuge; Nutritive.

The bark and the fruit are astringent, febrifuge and nutritive[7]. The astringent fruit is a good treatment for bowel complaints and fevers, whilst it is also used in the treatment of cholera[4, 254]. The flowers are used in the treatment of diarrhoea[4].

Other Uses

Dye; Hedge; Oil; Tannin; Wood.

An oil is obtained from the seed[7]. A dye is obtained from the bark[3, 7]. No more details are given. Another report says that a red dye is obtained from the plant, but does not say which part of the plant[4]. The leaves are a good source of tannin[7]. Wood - very hard, it is highly valued by turners[7]. The wood is heavier than water and does not float[7]. It is used for tools, machine parts, etc[7, 11, 13, 61].

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[1], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil[108] and a sunny position[15] but also succeeds in light shade[188]. Plants are fairly wind resistant[K]. Plants grow and crop well in pots. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[184]. At one time the cornelian cherry was frequently cultivated for its edible fruit, though it has fallen into virtual disuse as a fruit crop in most areas[3]. It is still being cultivated in parts of C. Europe and there are some named varieties[183]. 'Macrocarpa' has larger fruits than the type[182]. 'Nana' is a dwarf form, derived from a yellow-fruited clone[182]. 'Variegata' has been seen on a number of occasions with very large crops of fruit, even in years when the type species has not fruited well[K]. 'Jolico' has well-flavoured fruits 3 times larger than the species. There are also a number of cultivars with yellow, white and purplish fruit. Seedlings can take up to 20 years to come into fruit. Plants produced from cuttings come into fruit when much younger, though they do not live as long as the seedlings. A very ornamental plant[1] it flowers quite early in the year and is a valuable early food for bees[13, 108]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[80, 113]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[80, 164]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[164]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[80, 164]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[164]. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a frame[188]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage[78]. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months[78].

Cultivars

'Jolico'

The fruits are well-flavoured and up to 3 times larger than the species. A self-sterile clone, it requires pollination by another cultivar if fruit is to be formed.

'Macrocarpa'

This cultivar has larger fruits than the type[182].

'Nana'

A dwarf form, it is derived from a yellow-fruited clone[182].

'Pioneer'

The large, dark red, pear-shaped fruit is up to 35mm long. It is juicy, sweet and aromatic.

'Variegata'

Smaller-growing than the species, probably reaching no more than 2 metres tall and wide. It has considerable leaf variegation, is less tough than the species and does best in a sunny sheltered position. This cultivar seems to fruit well each year, producing full-sized well-flavoured fruits with less astringency than the species[K].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Alternative fruits, Edible Shrubs, Woodland Garden Plants, The Woodland Edge Garden.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.

[15] Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976 ISBN 0-273-00098-5
A small book with interesting ideas for edible plants in the ornamental garden.

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[80] McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.

[108] International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981
The title says it all.

[113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[164] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[184] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Cornus mas

Robby Bonkowski Thu Jan 2 23:37:56 2003

Cornus mas is traditionally used together with Eleganus multiflora in traditional Korean and Chinese herbal medicine.

Cornus mas

Hristo Hristov Tue Jul 8 18:31:22 2003

Link: Cornus mas Description, seeds (for swap) and some photos of the Bulgarian cultivars of Cornus mas

Cornus mas

Dr.Volodymyr Mezhenskyj Mon May 31 20:36:18 2004

Cultivars of Cornus mas

Dear Sirs,

from ancient times large-fruited cornelian cherry grow in Ukraine as fruit crop. In the Register of Plant Varieties of the Ukraine included next pomological cultivars: `Bylda`, `Vydubetzkyj`, `Volodymyrskyj`, `Vavilovetz`, `Grenader`, ` Elegantnyj`, `Ekzotycznyj`, `Eugenia`, `Koralovyj Marka`, `Lukjanovskyj`, `Mykolka`, `Olena`, `Radist`, and `Svitljaczok`. Fruits weight 5 to 9 g.

Dr.Volodymyr Mezhenskyj, Artemivsk Research Center of Institution of Horticulture, Opytne, Artemivsk, Donetska obl., 84571 UKRAINE

Cornus mas

Dr.Volodymyr Mezhenskyj Mon May 31 21:18:09 2004

Cultivars of Cornus mas

Dear Sirs,

from ancient times large-fruited cornelian cherry grow in Ukraine as fruit crop. In the Register of Plant Varieties of the Ukraine included next pomological cultivars: `Bylda`, `Vydubetzkyj`, `Volodymyrskyj`, `Vavilovetz`, `Grenader`, ` Elegantnyj`, `Ekzotycznyj`, `Eugenia`, `Koralovyj Marka`, `Lukjanovskyj`, `Mykolka`, `Olena`, `Radist`, and `Svitljaczok`. Fruits weight 5 to 9 g.

Dr.Volodymyr Mezhenskyj, Artemivsk Research Center of Institution of Horticulture, Opytne, Artemivsk, Donetska obl., 84571 UKRAINE

Alternative Fruit Crops

Helmut Leithner Wed Jan 25 2006

Inquiry of namtoo@yahoo.com: I grafted a dozen Cornus mas 'Jolico' scions onto fine Cornus sanguinea stems. All of them died after 3 to 4 months. Zone 6, Austria, Helmut Leithner.

Cornus mas

Uli Marggraf Sat Aug 5 2006

Take the fully ripe fruit, fill in a container together with sugar, so that the fruit is always embedded in the sugar. Stop when container is about 1/3 full, top up with ethyl alcohol (for human consumtion). If necessary, dilute alcohol to 45-50% with water. Close well and put in a cool, dark place. Open after 12 months. You have a delicious liqueur! Uli Marggraf, Costa San Severo 62032 Camerino, Italy

Cornus mas

Tim Dumenil Thu Oct 16 2008

This page is useful. Advise please from someone. My neighbour has a particularly nice tree of this species, and he is seeking permission to reduce the crown by 25%, A) will this damage the tree, and B)will it kill it? Please could someone enlighten me as I would rather it wasn't touched! Regards Tim Dumenil

Cornus mas

Josef Cornelissen Sun Jul 12 2009

Vom Cornelius-Kirschen-Baum Most detailed description of Cornelian cherry in German

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