Common Name: Large-Leaf Dogwood

General Information

Cornus macrophylla is a deciduous tree, occasionally more shrub-like, that can grow 2 - 15 metres tall, exceptionally to 25 metres[].
The plant is harvested fron the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Russian Far East, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Slopes, by streams, dense forests, mixed woods and margins of woods; at elevations from sea level to 3,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cornus macrophylla is a moderately cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -20°c when dormant
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.
A very ornamental tree[]. There is some confusion between this species and Cornus controversa[].
Plants usually fruit heavily in Britain[].
The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

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 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[].