Large-leaf dogwood
Cornus macrophylla

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows up to 15-20 m tall. The bark is dark grey and becomes cracked with age. The leaves are oval and 15 cm long by 7.5 cm wide. They taper to a slender tip. The leaves have a wavy edge and do not have teeth. They are dark green and smooth on the upper surface and bluish-green and hairy underneath. The flowers are small and creamy white. They have four petals. They occur in loose flattened heads which are 15 cm across. The fruit are small and rounded and like berries. They are green but turn reddish-purple then blue black as they ripen. They are 6 mm across.

There are about 45 Cornus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to China, Japan and the Himalayas. In the Himalayas it grows between 1,500-2,700 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tibet

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten with oil and salt. The seeds are used to extract vegetable oil. The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds - oil

How it is grown

In Yunnan fruit are available in August and September.

Its other names

Local names

Boray poitsi, Chapoil baminpa, Dengtaishu, Dieng-phait, Kachar, Kagsha, Kais, Kaksh, Kandar, Kasis, Khagsa, Poitsi, Rma-ke-lo

Synonyms

Swida macrophylla (Wall.) Sojak; and several others