Family: Cornaceae

Origin: Japan

This evergreen leathery-leaved species has been a popular shrub since in parks and gardens since Victorian times. The clones favoured for planting have been those with variegation in the form of pale spots on the leaves, which are the result of a benign virus infection. Male and female flowers occur on different plants and fruit is rarely seen because male and female plants are rarely planted together. The fruits are egg-shaped and reddish when ripe.