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Cornus capitata
  • Bentham's Cornel

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Cornus genus in the family Cornaceae.

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Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cornus capitata has 0 edible uses listed
Cornus capitata has 0 material uses listed
Cornus capitata has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

None known

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked. A bitter-sweet flavour[1][2][3], tasting like an over-ripe banana[4]. The fruit can also be used in preserves[5][6]. The fruit is about 25mm in diameter[7], it is fleshy with a number of seeds and a tough slightly bitter skin[K]. Our experience is that some trees can produce quite pleasant tasting fruits, but many others produce fruit with a distinct and unpleasant bitterness[K]. The fruit ripens in late autumn to early winter and will fail to ripe properly if the weather is very cold[K].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

The branches and leaves are a source of tannin[8]. Wood - very hard, close grained but warps when being seasoned. Used mainly for fuel[9][10].

Unknown part

Fuel
Wood
Tannin

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is used medicinally[8]. No further information is given, though the bark is a source of tannin which is used as an astringent[K].

Unknown part

Astringent

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[11][12]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[11][13]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[13]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[11][13]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[13]. 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[14].

Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months[14].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cornus capitata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[15], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[16]. Prefers semi-shade[17].

This species is hardy to between -5 and -10°c[18], it grows very well in S.W. England, self-sowing and fruiting prolifically in Cornish woodland gardens[19][20][21][22][23][24] and doing well by the coast where it tolerates sea winds[24]. Plants are not hardy in the London area, being killed even when on a south-facing wall[19]. Another report says that it succeeds as far north as Edinburgh. Squirrels are very fond of this fruit[4]. This species has been known to hybridize with C. kousa, the cultivar 'Norman Hadden' could be such a hybrid[24].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cornus capitata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cornus capitata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cornus capitata
Genus
Cornus
Family
Cornaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[8]
Material uses & Functions
[8][9][10]
Botanic
[19][7][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
12 x 12 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Cornus capitata 3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cornus capitata 3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Cornus capitata 3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Cornus capitata 3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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