Daphne mezereum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- DAF-nee meh-zer-EE-um
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Spurge laurel is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub in the Thymelaeaceae. It is native to central and eastern Europe, Turkey, and Iran. The common name February daphne comes from the fact that it flowers in the late winter. This small upright shrub typically grows to a height and width of 3 to 5 feet.
Plant it in a cool partially shady to full shade location, with protection from the wind. Full sun will scorch the leaves. It prefers moist organically rich sandy alkaline soils.
The shiny green leaves alternate, and simple. The flowers very fragrant, lilac to rose-purple or white with two or three per cluster and developing before the leaves. The fruits are clustered at the stems starting out green and turn a red or yellow.
It is resistant to browsing by rabbits and can be planted near black walnut trees. Use them as informal hedge or place them an a location where there sweet-fragranced flowers can be enjoyed.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: They are susceptible to viruses and botrytis. It can be difficult to grow especially with southern hot summers.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Daphne
- Species:
- mezereum
- Family:
- Thymelaeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to Northern Iran
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds enjoy the fruits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3/8" long green ripening to red or yellow in June clustered close to the stem.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Flowers very fragrant, lilac to rose-purple or white four petals, 2-4 per stalkless cluster and emerge on stems before the leaves
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, spirally arranged on the stem, dark green oblaceolate leaves are 3 1/2" long and 1/2" wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- All parts of the plant are highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten. Skin irrigation minor or lasting only for a few minutes. Swelling of lips and tongue, thirst, difficulty of swallowing, nausea, vomiting, internal bleeding with bloody diarrhea, weakness, and coma; skin irritation with blisters upon contact with leaves.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpenoid (mezerein), daphnin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
