Shan Yu in Shanxi

Shan Yu in Shanxi

　　Shan Yu, also known as Cornus officinalis or commonly called "Red Nai," is both an ornamental and medicinal plant. It is a deciduous tree with brown bark that peels off in flakes. The branches are square-shaped, and flowers grow in clusters at the tips of the twigs. The flowers bloom before the leaves appear; they are small, yellowish-green, and form a corymb inflorescence. They can be used for decoration or worn as ornaments. The drupe is oblong, smooth, and turns red when ripe, with a single seed inside. The dried fruit, with stems and seeds removed, is used for medicinal purposes. Yangcheng is one of the four major production areas of Cornus officinalis in China, renowned for its bright red color and high quality. The main production area is around Mangshan in Sanglin Township, Yangcheng. A centuries-old tree in Hongshuizhuang stands 8.58 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 2.18 meters and a crown covering 94.46 square meters. It yields over 200 kilograms of fresh fruit per year. Shan Yu originally grew naturally in the wild. In 1967, it was successfully cultivated artificially by Yuan Changfu of Yangcheng County Medicine Company and subsequently promoted across the country.