Oblong-Petal Dogwood
Cornus oblonga

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

Cornus oblonga is an evergreen Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from September to November, and the seeds ripen from March to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

Broad-leaved evergreen and mixed broad-leaved evergreen-decid-uous forests and thickets at elevations of 800 - 3700 metres.

E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

The black, ellipsoid fruit is 4 - 6mm long and 6 - 7mm wide; it has a thin layer of flesh enclosing a single, large seed. We have seen no specific records regarding the edibility of this fruit.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 3

The bark contains essential oils and tannins and is used in folk remedies to treat arthritis and injuries. The fruit is used iby the Chinese as a substitute for Cornus officinalis. These uses are as follows: 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.

Antiarthritic: Treats arthritis.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Antifungal: An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.

Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 2

An oil obtained from the fruit is used for industrial purposes. The bark contains essential oils and tannins.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

How it is grown

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. Prefers semi-shade. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c, Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: 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 about 3 days warm stratification at 15°c 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, July/August 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 June/July. Takes 9 months.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Chang yuan ye lai mu

Synonyms

C. paniculata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don. Swida oblonga (Wall.) Soják. Yinquania muchuanensis Z.Y.Zhu. Yinquania oblonga (Wall.) Z.Y.Zhu.