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Daphne
Also called Laurel, Mezereum, Daphnes, Spurge Laurels
Daphne is a genus of 70 to 95 deciduous and evergreen shrubs from Eurasia and north Africa, grown for their scented, often late-winter flowers and brightly coloured berries. Most prefer a sunny spot in well-drained but moisture-retentive soil that is not strongly acid.
Daphne (Ancient Greek: δάφνη, romanized: daphne, "laurel") is a genus of between 70 and 95 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to Asia, Europe and north Africa. They are noted for their scented flowers and often brightly coloured berries. Two species are used to make paper. Many species are grown in gardens as ornamental plants; the smaller species are often used in rock gardens. All parts of daphnes are poisonous for humans, especially the berries, though birds eat these freely to disperse the seeds.
All parts of daphnes are toxic, the berries being particularly so. One active compound is daphnin, a glycoside, combining glucose with daphnetin. Some species have been shown to contain a further toxin, mezerein. Symptoms of ingestion include burning sensations and lesions of the mouth and upper digestive tract, gastroenteritis and diarrhoea, and in severe cases, damage to the kidneys (nephritis), irregular heart rhythm, and coma.
Daphne is a Eurasian genus, being native to central and southern Europe and Asia, from Britain to Japan. Some species are also found in north Africa. A number of species have been introduced into other areas for cultivation, with two, D. mezereum and D. laureola, having become naturalised in North America.
Two species, Daphne bholua and Daphne papyracea, both called lokta, are harvested in Nepal and Bhutan for paper production.
Daphne arbuscula · Lokta · Rose Daphne · Mezereon · Winter Daphne · Daphne papyracea · Twin Flower Daphne · Daphne tangutica
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Daphne (plant) by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
