Cornus L. , Arboretum of Eaubonne, Suisse

Cornel of Japan (Cornus kousa either Benthamidia kousa or Yamaboushi ヤマボウシ in Japanese), is a small tree native of Asia.

It is a tree  which can measures until 12 m of top.

Its opposite simple leaves from 4 to 10 cms long are deciduous.

The tree is very spectacular at the time of the bloom. Its flowers are in fact white bracts surrounding small yellow and green flowers appearing just after leaves during spring.

The fruit is a red pink spherical berry edible from 2 to 4 cms but without big gustative interest.

There are two varieties:

• Horned kousa the Var. Kousa. Leaves from 4 to 7 cms; Bracts from 3 to 5 cms. Native of Japan.
• Horned kousa the Var. Chinensis. Leaves from 5 to 10 cms; Bracts from 4 to 6 cms. Native of China.