Kousa Dogwood

Cornus kousa var chinensis

The Asian Blossom Dogwood (Cornus kousa ) is a flowering plant in the genus dogwood (Cornus ) from the family of the Dogwood ( Cornaceae ).

Description

The Asian Blossom Dogwood has reached a slow-growing shrub or tree that stature heights of up to about 10 m (Cornus kousa ssp. Chinensis to 6 m). The area covered by a smooth, gray - brown bark trunk reaches a diameter of up to 35 cm. The upper branches are erect, the lower branches on the other hand held horizontally and arranged in tiers. The branches are covered with short in the first year, from the second year, however bald. The arranged opposite, dark green leaves are 4-11 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. They are oval and entire, and bear four to five pairs of forward-facing buds. Very often the leaves are covered with tiny hairs present, rarely the hairs are long and standing.

The inflorescences are apparent flowers ( Pseudanthien ), in which the 20-40 very small, real flowers are arranged in round umbels of about 1 cm in diameter. The flower- like character appearances flowers is highlighted by four white to cream-colored bracts, which replace the real tiny petals of the individual flowers.

The fruits of an umbel unite stalked to a long, round false fruit, a fruit Association ( drupe Association ), which is pale reddish colored to bright orange - red and has a diameter of about 1 to 2 cm.

Propagation

Propagation can be done by cuttings or from seed. In order to obtain a high rate of seedlings, it is important to remove the pulp from the seeds contained in the germ inhibitors are, for example, black peat substrate / quartz sand, cold greenhouse. The seeds germinate the following spring (March).

Subspecies and their distribution

The species occurs from temperate regions of East Asia.

• Cornus kousa subsp. kousa grows in Japan (except Hokkaido ) and Korea,
• Cornus kousa subsp. chinensis grows in China and Taiwan.

In the natural range of the plants are found along forest edges and river banks, planted as revegetation of roadsides.

Use

The species is due to their eye-catching and decorative bracts and fruits as an ornamental plant in culture, but is only rarely and only available at high prices on the market. Bloom time is depending on location May-July, the fruits ripen in autumn. Before the leaves are dropped in late autumn, the leaves turn bright yellow to scarlet.

The fruits are edible. The orange-colored flesh tastes sweet with ripe fruit and reminds the taste of mango or melon, however, prevent the leathery skin and gel-like consistency of the pulp a greater popularity. From the fruits preserved in alcohol, a kind of fruit liqueur is prepared similarly to the Umeshu.

Pictures

Fruits

Inflorescences

Individual sham prosperity