Dogwood (Cornus officinalis)

Other names: spring dogwood, dogwood, dogwood, dogwood, shan zhu yu, shanyúróu, kizil, cornelian cherry

The dogwood, also known as spring dogwood, cedar dogwood, cordgrass, or simply dogwood, is a plant belonging to the dogwood family (Cornaceae) and the dogwood genus (Cornus). It is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to southern Europe and western Asia. It is rather rare in the Czech Republic. It is a woody plant with beautiful bright yellow flowers that appear in late winter or early spring, before the plant leaves. In the autumn, the plant produces small, oval, bright red berries, which are not only beautiful to look at but also very useful.

In fact, the dogwood is highly valued in many cultures for its fruits, which are used in medicine but also in the food industry. In traditional Chinese medicine, the fruits of the dogwood (shan zhu yu) are used to treat various ailments such as diabetes and kidney disease. In Turkish and Iranian cuisine, the fruits of this plant (known as kizil) are very popular in the production of marmalades, jams or syrups. They also make excellent wine and liqueur. The fruits of the dogwood have a strong, sweet and sour taste and are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Their high pectin content makes them an ideal raw material for making jellies and marmalades. But the use of dogwood is not only in culinary and medicinal applications. This plant is also popular in horticulture for its beautiful flowers and attractive fruits. The young shoots of the dogwood are also suitable for making baskets and furniture.