Cornelian cherry

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) is a species of flowering plant in the dogwood family Cornaceae. Native to southern Europe and southwest Asia, it is commonly grown for its edible fruit and as an ornamental tree.

Description

The Cornelian Cherry is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 5–12 m tall. The leaves are opposite, 4–10 cm long and 2–4 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin. The flowers are small, with four yellow petals, produced in clusters of 10–25 together in the late winter, well before the leaves appear.

Cultivation

The Cornelian Cherry is widely cultivated in Europe for its showy, bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring. It is also grown for its small, tart, cherry-like fruits that are used in jams, jellies, and liqueurs. The fruit is a drupe, 2 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter, which ripens in late summer.

Uses

The fruit of the Cornelian Cherry is edible, with a tart flavor. It is used to make jams, jellies, and liqueurs. In addition, the wood of the tree is dense and hard, and can be used for making tool handles and other small items.

Cultural Significance

In ancient Greece, the Cornelian Cherry was associated with the myth of Hades and Persephone, symbolizing the return of life and fertility after the winter. It is also mentioned in the works of Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder.

See Also

• Dogwood
• Cornus (genus)
• Cornus officinalis

References

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