Japanese name: クマノミズキ（熊野水木） Scientific name:Cornus macrophylla
[Overview]
A deciduous tree 8–12 m tall, found in mountains.
Young branches have 4–6 ridges.
Leaves are simple and opposite, elliptic to ovate, 6–16 cm long and 3–7 cm wide, with 5–8 pairs of lateral veins.
The leaf margin is entire.
Corymbs 8–14 cm across at the branch tips bear many small yellowish-white 4-petaled flowers.
The fruit is a spherical drupe 5 mm across, ripening purplish black.
[Uses]
The wood is used as firewood and charcoal.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil, but is not very particular about soil type.
It tolerates partial shade, but flowering may be poor if the site is not sunny enough.
When planted in the ground, it becomes a large tree and needs plenty of space.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer around the base in winter.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
[Notes]
The Japanese name means "Mizuki from Kumano, Mie."
It resembles Mizuki, but can be distinguished by its opposite leaves.
