August 2023 Plant Profile: Cornelian Cherry
Scientific name: Cornus mas
Common name: Cornelian cherry, European cornel, Cornelian cherry dogwood
Family: Cornaceae (Dogwoods)
Native range: Southern and central Europe to western Asia
Location: At the Center for Urban Horticulture, there is a grove located in the northern lawn area along the central drive and the trees’ accession numbers are 87-90. At the Arboretum, there are three specimens under the accession number of 704-38 (grid 33-B) from the original planting of the Woodland Garden in 1938. Several others from 1946, with the accession number of 224-46 (grid 33-4W) can be found in the Pinetum on the western side of the creek, in.
The Cornelian cherry is a deciduous tree that typically grows 15-25 feet tall, with a spread of around 15 feet. The genus name, Cornus, is Latin from the word cornu, which means “horn”. This is because of the strength and density of the wood. The species name mas is Latin for the word “male”. This refers to the possible absence of fruit on new plants for several years. The common name cornelian is the adjective form of cornel, another name for dogwood. It flowers in early spring with small yellow clusters of flowers. In late summer, it produces fruits that turn red as they ripen and are edible, with a variety of traditional uses in many different cultures. The tree’s fall foliage features red and yellow leaves.
The tree is considered relatively disease resistant and has the ability to tolerate a variety of conditions. It generally prefers full to partial sun but is also able to grow in the shade. It is hardy to USDA zone 4. Overall, it is an excellent garden species providing multiple seasons of interest and requiring relatively little maintenance. One potential issue with this tree is that, when the fruit begins to drop, it can create a mess that will need to be cleaned up. It’s advisable not to plant Cornus mas near pathways, since the dropped fruit can quickly become slippery.
The Cornelian cherry has been known in garden cultivation for 400 years, mostly for its fruit. Hippocrates wrote that Cornelian cherry leaves can be used for preparing a decoction to treat stomach diseases and Ovid provided a recipe for Cornelian cherry jam in his poem ‘The Golden Age’. The wood of Cornus mas is extremely dense and, unlike the wood of most other woody species, sinks in water. This density makes it valuable for crafting into items that require durability, such as handles for tools and weapons. It has been used from the seventh century BCE onward by Greek craftsmen to construct spears, javelins, and bows. It is now commonly found all over Europe and has been naturalized outside of its native range.
The fruit of Cornelian cherry has many uses in traditional medicine and has been used to treat ailments such as digestive disorders, inflammation, kidney stones, and fevers. The fruit is especially high in antioxidants and Vitamin C. The fruit has a tart taste that is described as being between cranberry and sour cherry and can be incorporated into a variety of dishes (jams and liquors are popular uses). Cornelian cherries are grown as a commercial fruit crop in countries such as Ukraine, Serbia, Turkey, Georgia, and Iran. Fruits from our Cornelian cherry trees here at the Center for Urban Horticulture are often harvested by various members of the Seattle community. We appreciate that people have found our grove at CUH valuable as a cultural resource! However, we do ask that people harvest respectfully and be careful not to climb or damage the trees or trample surrounding plants. Keep an eye out for ripening fruits in August and September!
Sources:
https://www.treepeony.com/collections/cornelian-cherry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus_mas
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/cornus-mas
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/9/1240
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874116309291