Daphne laureola
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Daphne laureola, commonly called spurge-laurel,[1] is a shrub in the flowering plant family Thymelaeaceae. Despite the name, this woodland plant is neither a spurge nor a laurel. Its native range covers much of Europe and extends to Algeria, Morocco and the Azores.[1]
Description
Daphne laureola reaches a height between Script error: No such module "convert".. The habit of this shrub can be upright or decumbent (arched at the base then spreading upward). The bark is thin and yellow-grey when mature, while immature stems are green. The cambium is malodorous with a scent reminiscent of herb robert.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The alternate leaves usually form dense whorls at the shoot tips, but may clothe entire branches. The leaves are oblanceolate to obovate-oblanceolate, Script error: No such module "convert". long and 1–3 cm wide. They are glabrous (smooth), dark green and glossy on the upper surface and lighter in color beneath.
The inconspicuous yellow-green axial flowers, usually hidden among the leaf bases, may be strongly fragrant, or may exhibit no scent at all.[2] The berry is black, egg-shaped, and Script error: No such module "convert". wide, containing one seed.[3]
Etymology
The genus name Daphne is from the ancient Greek for laurel. Daphne is also the name of a dryad in Greek mythology who was transformed into a laurel tree. The specific epithet laureola means 'laurel-like'; therefore, the binomial literally translates to 'laurel-like laurel'.[4]
Distribution and habitat
It is one of two species of Daphne native to Great Britain, with Daphne mezereum. Both have a strong preference for alkaline soils and are most commonly found in limestone areas, although D. laureola is also found on clay.[5] However, unlike D. mezereum, D. laureola is evergreen, with yellowish-green flowers borne very early in the spring and black berries, which are poisonous to humans but not to birds, present from late summer.[6]
Ecology
Birds consume the fruit and disperse the seeds.[3]
As an invasive species
Outside its native range, D. laureola can become a dangerous invasive weed. Growing in sun or shade, it is well-suited to the temperate forest understory and can rapidly colonize areas (both by seeding and by root suckering) to form monotypic stands and out-compete native vegetation. It is a Class B Noxious weed in Washington state.[7] Already a weed under native forests in Tasmania, Australia,[8][9] and New Zealand.[10]
Hand-pulling is effective against small infestations (gloves must be worn to protect against the caustic sap); shrubs too large or too small to pull must be dug out.[2]
Toxicity
The fruit is toxic to humans.[3] All parts of the plants are poisonous.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The sap is known to cause skin rashes on contact.
In culture
Gilbert White called it dwarf laurel, and on 5 December 1783 "fetched them" from the high wood and hanger at Selborne and planted them in his garden.[11]
References
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- ↑ a b Template:GRIN
- ↑ a b Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board: Daphne laureola
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. Template:ISBN (hardback), Template:ISBN (paperback). pp 134, 232
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". pp. 381–382.
- ↑ The Reader's Digest Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Britain p.123.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ The English Year, compiled by Geoffrey Grigson O.U.P 1967
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External links
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- Spurge Laurel, Aliens Among Us. Virtual Exhibit of the Virtual Museum of Canada.