The botanical moniker of the dogwood most renowned for its fruits is Cornus mas, better known by the common name of 'Cornelian Cherry'. Its fruit is praised by the likes of wild food expert Steve ("Wildman") Brill and rare fruit expert Dr. Lee Reich, who once caused a conniption by picking and eating some of the fruits off a tree in New York's Central Park. As related in the Cornelian Cherry chapter of his classic book, "Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden" (Timber Press), Lee explained to concerned passersby that he was enjoying a delicacy that we humans had been eating for over seven thousand years, with both archaeology and ancient writings serving as evidence that early Greeks and Romans gathered and savored the "cherries". http://www.gardensalive.com/product/does-the-dogwood-bear-bitter-fruit-or-tasty/you_bet_your_garden