Can be trained as a small tree by removal of suckers and lower branches. Georgia: Fruit, leaves, bark and roots have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and analgesic properties (Bussmann et al. 'Golden Glory' typically grows 15-20' (infrequently to 25') tall, and is somewhat more erect in appearance and more vigorous than the species. Common name refers to the cherry-like fruits which resemble in color the semi-precious gemstone carnelian (or cornelian). Specific epithet comes from the Latin word for male in reference to the absence of fruits that sometimes occurs for several years after new plants begin to bloom. Cornus is also the Latin name for cornelian cherry. Genus name comes from the Latin word cornu meaning horn in probable reference to the strength and density of the wood. Yellow flowers on short stalks bloom in early spring before the leaves.
Scaly, exfoliating bark develops on mature trunks. It typically grows over time to 15-25' tall with a spread to 12-20' wide. The common name comes from the edible fruit that resembles cherries. Fruits may be used for making syrups and preserves. Cornus mas, commonly known as cornelian cherry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to central and southern Europe into western Asia. Small yellow flowers in late winter before leaves emerge. Fruits are edible, although sour tasting fresh off the plant. Fruits are ellipsoid, fleshy, one-seeded berries (drupes to 5/8" long) which mature to cherry red in mid-summer. Further, the Cornus mas can grow in semi-shade or no shade and can tolerate strong winds. It can grow in sandy, loamy, or clay soil, as well as acid, neutral, and basic soils. Ovate to elliptic dark green leaves (to 4" long) typically develop insignificant fall color. Cornus mas shows high adaptation, but it grows best in the humus-rich, limey soils of the lowlands and rolling hills, which are rich in nutritive elements. The flowers are small (510 mm in diameter), with four yellow petals, produced in clusters of 1025. The leaves are opposite, 410 cm long and 24 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin. Each umbel is surrounded at the base by small, yellowish, petaloid bracts which are much less showy than the large decorative bracts found on some other species of dogwood such as Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) and Cornus kousa (kousa dogwood). It is a medium to large deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 512 m tall, with dark brown branches and greenish twigs. Seasons of Interest: Foliage: Fall Bloom: Spring Fruit: Fall Bark: Winter. The Japanese Cornelian Dogwood flowers earlier, the fruits ripen later, reddish-brown tufts of hair in the leaf veins, and the exfoliating bark is more attractive. Yellow flowers on short stalks bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge in dense, showy, rounded clusters (umbels to 3/4" wide). The Japanese Cornelian Dogwood is similar to the Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas). Cornus mas, commonly known as cornelian cherry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to central and southern Europe into western Asia.