View source for Cornelian cherry

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = European Cornel
| image = Gele kornoelje 27-08-2005 15.12.06.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Branch with fruit
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Cornales]]
| familia = [[Cornaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Dogwood|Cornus]]''
| subgenus = ''Cornus''
| species = '''''C. mas'''''
| binomial = ''Cornus mas''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

[[Image:Cornus mas flowers.jpg|thumb|left|Europea Cornel flowering]]

The '''European Cornel''' (''Cornus mas'') is a species of [[dogwood]] native to southern [[Europe]] and southwest [[Asia]].

It is a medium to [[deciduous]] large [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] growing to 5-12 m tall, with dark brown branches and greenish twigs. The [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite, 4-10 cm long and 2-4 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin. The [[flower]]s are small (5-10 mm diameter), with four yellow petals, produced in clusters of 10-25 together in the late winter, well before the leaves appear. The [[fruit]] is an oblong red [[drupe]] 2 cm long and 1.5 cm diameter, containing a single [[seed]].

The fruit is edible, with an [[acid]]ic flavour; it is mainly used for making [[jam]], but also can be eaten dried. In [[Armenia]], the fruit is used for distilling vodka. In [[Turkey]] it is eaten with salt as a snack in summer times. [[Cultivar]]s selected for fruit production in [[Ukraine]] have fruit up to 4 cm long. The species is also grown as an [[ornamental plant]] for its late winter flowers.

Its wood is denser than water. A dye may be produced from its bark and [[tannin]] is produced from its leaves.

== External links: ==
* [http://www3.unifi.it/ueresgen29/ds10.htm National Agricultural Research Foundation - Pomology Institute (NAGEF-PI): Cornus mas]

{{Commons|Cornus mas}}
[[Category:Cornales|Cornel, European]]
[[Category:Fruit|Cornel, European]]