This species is very closely related to Cornus mas, except it grows with a slightly more open habit, flowers one week earlier, has more attractive bark and often has brown hair tufts in the vein axils on the leaf undersides[, , ].

Common Name: Shan Zhu Yu

General Information

Cornus officinalis is a deciduous shrub or a small tree that can grow 4 - 10 metres tall. Plants often produce suckers[, ].
The plant is an important herbal medicine in China, where the plant is often cultivated. The fruit is also edible and is sold in local markets[]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its early flowering display that can start in late winter.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - north-central and southeast China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Forests, forest margins and mountain slopes; at elevations from 400 - 1,500 metres, occasionally to 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cornus officinalis is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -20°c when dormant. It grows best in regions with warm or cool summer climates, disliking intense heat[].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[], though it appreciates some afternoon shade in areas with hotter summers[]. An easily grown plant, it prefers an acidic, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil[], though it generally succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
A very ornamental plant[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. The fully ripe fruit is quite pleasant but slightly astringent[]. The fruit contains about 8.6% sugars, 2.9% malic acid, 0.74% ash[]. The red or purplish red, narrowly ellipsoid fruit is 12 - 18mm long and 5 - 7mm wide; the moderately thick layer of flesh encloses a single large seed[].

Medicinal

Shan Zhu Yu has been used for at least 2,000 years in Chinese herbal medicine. It is a herb that 'stabilizes and binds' and is used principally to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and unusually active secretions including copious sweating, excessive urine, spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation[, , ]. Like all herbs that suppress bodily fluids (even excessive ones), it will simply prolong or lead to a worsening of symptoms if it is used without tonic or detoxifying herbs[]. It is, therefore, normally used in combination with herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa and is an ingredient of the 'Pill of eight ingredients' which is used in China to 'warm up and invigorate the yang of the loins'[].

The fruit is antibacterial, antifungal, hypotensive, antitumor, astringent, diuretic, hepatic and tonic[, , , , ]. The fruit, without the seed, is decocted for the treatment of arthritis, fever and a wide range of other ailments[, ]. It is used in the treatment of senile lumbago, diabetes, cystitis, tinnitus etc[, , ]. The fruit has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Bacillus dysenteriae and Staphylococcus[].
The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use[].

The stem bark is astringent, antimalarial and tonic[, ].

The plant is antibacterial, diuretic, hypotensive and a urinary antiseptic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].