Common Name:

General Information

Cornus multinervosa is a deciduous tree usually growing 4 - 8 metres tall, occasionally reaching up to 15 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Sichuan, Yunnan]

Habitat

Mixed woods; at elevations from 900 - 2,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cornus multinervosa is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -20°c when dormant[].
Prefers a rich well-drained loamy soil and a position that is at least partially sunny[]. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility, from acid to slightly alkaline but dislikes shallow chalky soils[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
A very ornamental plant[]. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The red, globose, compound fruit is around 12 - 16mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is hard. It is used for making tools[].

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[].