Cornus mas

Cornelian cherry dogwood is in the dogwood or Cornaceae family and is native to southern Europe. It is appreciated for its dense clusters of yellows flowers in the late winter in Mediterranean climates before many other plants are blooming, and for many red 'cherries' by fall.

• Leaves are opposite, single, 4–10 cm long and 2–4 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape, veins curving inwards towards the tip. Leaves turn reddish in the fall.
• Species is monoecious. Flowers are small (5–10 mm in diameter), with four yellow petals, in clusters of 10–25 flowers. They bloom in late winter (February-March), well before leaves appear.
• Fruit is an oblong yellow-green drupe 15 mm in diameter and 20 mm long, turning into a red edible 'cherry' by fall, each containing a single seed. The cherries are single with many separate individuals covering the tree rather than the compound berries (drupes) of many dogwoods.
• Winter reproductive (flower) buds are round, 3-5 mm across on short stems, distinctive in appearance amongst the dogwood buds.