The Cornus mas is a characteristic species of xerothermic, submediterranean Downy Oak forests and subcontinental oak steppe forests. It thrives on loose, humus-rich, limey soils in lowlands and rolling hills. In Central Europe, the Cornelian Cherry prefers sunny slopes, hardwood riparian forests, sparse oak forests, but also the edges of forests and trails. Only sporadically occurring in the National Park yet not categorized as vulnerable. in the Carinthian Basin and the south eastern foothills of the Alps. As a shrub which prefers aridity, the Cornelian Cherry is found only sporadically in the National Park, for example at higher elevations in the hardwood riparian forests and on high river banks.Ĭlassified as vulnerable in certain European regions such as Bavaria regionally vulnerable in Austria, e.g. The species may be found in all provinces in Austria and run to seed in Tyrol, Salzburg and Carinthia. However, it has yet to be determined whether its occurrence in the Mediterranean area is entirely natural or the result of cultivation for gardens. Its chief range is however the Mediterranean region and in coastal areas, as well as the hinterland of the Black Sea.

The Cornelian Cherry is native to most of Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Mediterranean region. The berry-like fruit is bright red when mature (August to October), up to 12mm long and around 5mm wide. The golden yellow flowers which appear in early spring – long before foliation – are arranged in compact clusters of 10-25 flowers on stalks of around 5mm in length. In contrast, the Dogwood displays spiky individual hairs across its entire leaf surface. Equally attention-getting are the deep red hues of its autumn foliage. The most certain mode of differentiation is the manner of pilosity, or hairiness, of the leaves: bushels of hair ('beards') may be found in the axil of the leaf veins of the Cornelian Cherry. Both have leaves which are 4-10cm long, 2.5-4cm wide, paired, glossy green on top and bright green on the undersides. The leaves of the Cornus mas are difficult to differentiate from those of its relative Cornus sanguinea, the Dogwood. Leaf and flower buds have varying forms: the leaf buds are oblong and pointy with short, close-pressed hairs while the flower buds are round like a ball and stalk-like. The bark is yellowish-grey, thin, furrowed, scaly and flaking. Its relatively straight and slim elongated twigs are minutely downy and olive-green in colour. A very slow-growing shrub, it can live up to 100 years. Rarely does it develop to become a small tree with a loose, rounded crown and one which spreads by way of intensive sprouting of rootstock and suckers. In Central Europe, the Cornelian Cherry is a shrub reaching heights of around 5m. This species has long been popular thanks to the bright yellow flowers which appear early in the year, usually in March, and due to its edible and highly versatile fruit. The Cornelian Cherry is a deciduous species native to Central and Southern Europe which thrives best in the Donau-Auen National Park in dry areas at higher elevations.

Cornus mas bud