Cornaceae family, Cornaceae
Origin: southern and central Europe, therefore it is also native to the Czech Republic, Balkan, southwest Asia
Habitat in the original area: clearings in forests, shrubby slopes from lowlands to hills
Habitus: A shrub or small tree growing up to 6 metres. The bark is dark brown and furrowed.
Leaf: Petiolate leaves grow oppositely. Their blade is of an elliptical to ovate shape, deep green on the front side, lighter on the back side and covered with trichomes on both sides.
Bloom, fruit: It blooms from March to April (before the leaves appear) with yellow blossoms arranged in whorls. The fruit is an up to 3 cm long shiny, red drupe (so-called dogwood) hiding an elongated grooved seed.
Interesting fact: The fruits can be eaten raw or used to make jams and juices. They have a bitter sweet-sour taste and a high content of vitamin C. This shrub is classified as a rare species of our flora requiring further attention (C4a). It is grown in a number of cultivars that differ in growth and density of branches as well as in the shape, size and colour of the fruits and leaves.
