Species library · Berries & fruit

Foraging Cornelian Cherry

Cornus mas

Typically in season from August to September in the northern hemisphere. Found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)

Photo: (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · iNaturalist

When Cornelian Cherry is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak August to September. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Cornelian Cherry is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Toxic look-alikes: Alder buckthorn, Common buckthorn, Fly honeysuckle. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Cornelian Cherry into the field

Open Cornelian Cherry in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Cornelian Cherry: common questions

When is Cornelian Cherry in season?

Cornelian Cherry is generally in season from August to September in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Cornelian Cherry grow?

Cornelian Cherry is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges.

Is Cornelian Cherry safe to forage?

Toxic look-alikes: Alder buckthorn, Common buckthorn, Fly honeysuckle. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits