Cornelian Cherry

Description

Large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree of oval-rounded outline, usually branching to the ground, reaching 20' to 25' in height and 15' to 20' in width. Foliage dark green, somewhat glossy with poor fall color, the leaves usually falling while green, although they can assume purplish red color. Flowers yellow, borne in March, effective for three weeks, borne in short-stalked 3/4" diameter umbels. Fruit a bright, cherry-red, oblong, 5/8" long, 1/2" wide drupe, ripening in July, often hidden by the foliage. Bark exfoliating, flaky, often gray-brown to rich brown, rather attractive, but not as showy as C. officinalis.