The Shan zhu yu (Cornus officinalis) belongs to Cornaceae (the Dogwood family). It is a semi-tall deciduous tree that is native to the Korean Peninsula and China. This tree was introduced into Japan for using as a medicine in the medium-term of Edo Era (1603-1867). The small yellow flowers in the terminal umbels come in March to April. The fruits are elliptic and ripen red in fall. The fruits are used for herbal medicine. In Chinese, it is called "山茱萸" (shan zhu yu). The Japanese name is an On-yomi (Chinese reading of kanji) of the Chinese name "山茱萸".