Herb latin name: Cornus sessilis


Family: Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)



Edible parts of Cornus sessilis:

The following note is for the closely related C. officinalis. It can probably also be applied to this species. The fruit of this species is about 1 - 1.5cm long:- Fruit - raw or cooked. The fully ripe fruit is quite pleasant but slightly astringent. It is about 1.5cm long. The fruit contains about 8.6% sugars, 2.9% malic acid, 0.74% ash.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Shrub

Height:
3 m
(9 3/4 foot)

Flowering:
April

Habitat of the herb:

Stream banks to 1500 metres.

Propagation of Cornus sessilis:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more. 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. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months.

Cultivation of the herb:

Stream banks to 1500 metres.

Medicinal use of Cornus sessilis:

None known

Known hazards of Cornus sessilis:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.