Practical
Plants

Cornus quinquenervis

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Cornaceae
Genus
Cornus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

A specimen of this species seen growing at Kew in September 1994 was carrying a few red fruits about 30mm long and 12mm wide - these were not fully ripe and were slightly astringent but they showed some potential[K]. There must be some doubt about the validity of the name of the Kew plant since the botanical description of the plant says that the fruits are black, globose and 6mm in diameter[K].

Plant part
Fruit

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Hillsides, mountain forests and thickets by streams from sea level to 2500 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[8][2]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[8][3]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[3]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[8][3]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[3]. 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[7]. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months[7].

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[1], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  7. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

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