Cornus kousa Bürger ex Hance

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-6 m tall and spreads 2.7-4.5 m wide. The branches spread out in tiers. The leaves are deep green. They are 5-10 cm long and oval. They have 4-6 pairs of veins. The upper surface is dark green and underneath there are hairs in tufts in the vein axils. The leaves colour in the autumn. The flowers are small and occur in clusters in 5 cm long stalks. They have large white bracts around them. Each bract tapers to a point. The bracts are 5 cm long. These last for 6 weeks. The fruit are strawberry-like. They are dull red. They are edible.

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Japan. It is frost hardy. It grows from 400 to 2200 m in China. It will grow in most soils. It is damaged by drought. It grows on low hills near the coast. It suits hardiness zones 5-8. In Arboretum Tasmania.

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also cooked and used for preserves and desserts. Young leaves are also cooked and eaten.

It can be grown from clean seed. It can also be grown from cuttings.