Common Name:

General Information

Cornus schindleri is a deciduous shrub or a tree; it usually grows 2 - 8 metres tall, but can reach 10 metres[].
The plant is probably harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China.

Habitat

Dense to sparse forests, mixed forest or thickets on slopes and in valleys, open hillsides; at elevations from 1,100 - 3,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cornus schindleri is a fairly cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -10°c when dormant. It seems to grow best in areas with hot summers, the wood often failing to ripe in cool summer areas and the plant suffering winter damage even if the winter is mild[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[], growing well in thin woodland[].
This species is closely related to Cornus macrophylla[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The following notes are for Cornus macrophylla, they quite probably also apply to this closely related species[].
The reddish black to black, subglobose fruit of this species is 4 - 6mm in diameter[]

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , , ]. The purplish black or bluish black, subglobose fruit is 5 - 6mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The following notes are for Cornus macrophylla, they quite probably also apply to this closely related species[].

The fruit is analgesic, diuretic, tonic. It is used (probably combined with other herbs[]) as a remedy for liver and kidney disorders[]. It is also used in the treatment of conditions such as malaria, allergies, infections, inflammation, diabetes, cancer and as lipid peroxidative[]

The wood is anodyne and a uterosedative[]. The wood is thought to be efficacious as a constructive remedy, probably on account of the colour of its reddish sap. It is said to destroy bad blood and to build up good blood, quieting the uterus, relieving pain, and nourishing the body[].

The stem bark is antimicrobial, astringent. It is used in the treatment of all forms of dysentery[, , ].

Other Uses

The following notes are for Cornus macrophylla, they quite probably also apply to this closely related species[].

The inner bark of young shoots contains strong fibres that can be used to make rope. It is used for cordage[].

The scented wood is hard, tough, close grained but can warp badly during seasoning. It turns well and is used for making furniture, agricultural tools, roof beams in thatched roofs[, , , ].
The wood is used as a fuel and makes a good charcoal[, , ].

We do not have any more specific information for this species, but there is a general report that Cornus species in the subgenus Thelycrania also have the following uses[]:-

The flexible branches are woven into baskets and mats and made into hoops, pipe stems and shoe-nails[].
The bark contains tannin and the black fruits yield dyes[].
The stones contain large amounts of a greenish oil suitable for burning[].

Propagation

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, mid summer 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 early summer/July. Takes 9 months[].