Common Name:

General Information

Cornus iberica is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a subspherical crown; it can grow up to 4 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge.

Known Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, the following report refers to the closely related C. sanguinea. Contrary to some reports, the fruit is not poisonous, but the leaves can cause skin irritations to sensitive people[].

Botanical References

Range

W. Asia - Caucasus

Habitat

Woody-shrubby thickets in the central mountain zone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[]. 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.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

This species has the same uses as the closely related Cornus sanguinea[]. These uses are listed below:-

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A bitter flavour, it can also have an emetic effect on the body[, , ]. It is not worthwhile[]. The black, globular fruit is about 6 - 8mm in diameter[, ].

An oil is obtained from the seed and fleshy pericarp[, ], it is possibly edible when refined[].

Medicinal

This species has the same uses as the closely related Cornus sanguinea[]. These uses are listed below:-

The bark is astringent and febrifuge[]. It is used to treat fevers[].

The leaves are sometimes used externally as an astringent[].

The fruit is emetic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown as an ornamental hedge[].

Other Uses

This species has the same uses as the closely related Cornus sanguinea[]. These uses are listed below:-

The seed contains up to 45% of a non-drying oil[], it is used in soap making and lighting[, , , , ].
A non-drying oil is also obtained from the pericarp, it is used for lighting[]. The pericarp contains 19 - 35% oil, exceptionally to 55%[].

A greenish-blue dye is obtained from the fruit[, ].

The young stems are very flexible and are used in basketry[, , , ]. The thin, flexible branches are used in the manufacture of baskets, hoops, and pipe stems[].

The reddish wood is finely-grained, tough, hard. Used for small items such as tool handles, turnery etc[, , , ].
A good quality charcoal is obtained from the wood[], the wood also makes an excellent fuel[].

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[].