Japanese Cornel🌸

A small deciduous tree in the dogwood family, native to China and the Korean peninsula. Introduced to Japan from Korea as a medicinal plant during the Kyōhō era of the Edo period. In early spring, before leaves emerge, small yellow flowers cover the branches in umbels — hence its other name 'haru-kogane-bana' ('spring golden flower'), a classic harbinger of spring. In autumn, bright red elongated berries (sanshuyu / shān zhū yú) ripen; they are used in kampo medicine to tonify the liver and kidney (an ingredient in hachimi-jiō-gan). Widely planted as a garden and park tree.

Identification Points

• ✓Yellow flowers in umbels before leaves emerge in early spring
• ✓Opposite ovate leaves with prominent lateral veins
• ✓Bright red elongated berries in autumn

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionミズキ科 →