This is Cornus mas Theophrasti, or Theophrastus his male Cornell tree for he ſetteth downe two ſortes of Cornell trees, the male and the female: he maketh the wood of the male to bee ſound as in this Cornell tree which we both for this cauſe and for others alſo, haue made to be the male the female is that which is commonly called Virga ſanguinea, or Dogs berrie tree, and Cornus ſylveſtris, or the wild Cornell tree, of which alſo we will intreate of in the next chap. Name Ĭornus mas, "male" cornel, was named so to distinguish it from the true dogberry, the "female" cornel, Cornus sanguinea, and so it appears in John Gerard's Herbal: The leaves (and fruit) are used in traditional medicine in Central and Southwest Asia.
In Italy, the mazzarella, uncino or bastone, the stick carried by the butteri or mounted herdsmen of the Maremma region, is traditionally made of cornel-wood, there called crognolo or grugnale, dialect forms of Italian: corniolo. The wood's association with weaponry was so well known that the Greek name for it was used as a synonym for "spear" in poetry during the fourth and third centuries BC. Ĭornus mas was used from the seventh century BC onward by Greek craftsmen to construct spears, javelins and bows, the craftsmen considering it far superior to any other wood. This density makes it valuable for crafting into tool handles, parts for machines, etc. mas is extremely dense and, unlike the wood of most other woody plant species, sinks in water. While Cornus mas flowers are not as large and vibrant as those of the Forsythia, the entire plant can be used for a similar effect in the landscape. 'Spring Glow' and 'Spring Sun' (also listed as 'Spring Grove') - Two cultivars that exhibit overall fine characteristics, with handsome foliage, rounded habit and bright yellow blooms.The species is also grown as an ornamental plant for its late winter yellow flowers, which open earlier than those of Forsythia. Widely available, though probably not as hardy as other forms. 'Golden Glory' - An upright form that is a heavy bloomer. 'Flava' - A form that features fruit that is yellow and ripens a bit ahead of other types. The plant is much smaller and weaker than other forms. The leaves are edged with pink or yellow, though the color loses brilliance later in the season. 'Elegantissima' (also listed as 'Aureo-elegantissima', 'Tricolor' may be the same) - A striking variegated form that is gaining popularity. These three cultivars are notable for their heavy fruit set of fruit, which may be used for preserves, syrup, etc. mas is a edible food crop in many European areas, and its use as a culinary plant is increasing in this country. The leaves will age to green in warm weather climates, however. 'Aurea' - A yellow-foliage form that is very hardy. branching to the ground prevents turf growth beneath unless limbed up.works well in small groupings or groves.multiseasonal for flowers good quality summer foliage, fruit and bark.can be trimmed up at the base to make more tree-like and reveal the exfoliating bark better.prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil, but relatively adaptable.fairly easy to transplant, but can be slow to reestablish.not stunning, but relatively attractive.can be eaten when color becomes dark red or maroon.between 0.5" to 1" long and about 0.5" wide.
small yellow flowers in rounded clusters.
mostly a mix of green and yellow with some purple-red highlights.overall, summer foliage is of high quality.leaves are 2" to 4" long and 0.75" to 1.5" wide.branching is low branches hovering just above the ground.typically multistemmed with a very short main trunk.native to central and southern Europe and parts of western Asia.