Daphne laureola: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:15, 15 February 2025

Daphne laureola[edit]

Daphne laureola, commonly known as spurge-laurel, is an evergreen shrub belonging to the family Thymelaeaceae. It is native to Europe and North Africa, and it has been introduced to other regions, including parts of North America.

Description[edit]

Daphne laureola is a small, evergreen shrub that typically grows to a height of 1 to 1.5 meters. The leaves are glossy, dark green, and lanceolate, measuring 5 to 15 cm in length. The plant produces small, yellowish-green flowers that are fragrant and appear in clusters at the base of the leaves. These flowers bloom in late winter to early spring.

The fruit of Daphne laureola is a small, black berry that is toxic to humans and animals if ingested. The plant contains compounds that can cause skin irritation upon contact.

Habitat and Distribution[edit]

Daphne laureola is commonly found in shaded, woodland areas and thrives in well-drained soils. It is tolerant of a range of soil types but prefers calcareous soils. The plant is often found in deciduous and mixed forests, as well as in hedgerows and shrublands.

In its native range, Daphne laureola is widespread across Western Europe, including the British Isles, France, Spain, and Italy. It has also been introduced to parts of North America, where it is considered an invasive species in some regions.

Toxicity[edit]

All parts of Daphne laureola are toxic if ingested, with the berries being particularly poisonous. The plant contains daphnetoxin, which can cause severe irritation to the skin and mucous membranes. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to respiratory distress and even death.

Cultivation[edit]

Despite its toxicity, Daphne laureola is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. It is best grown in shaded or partially shaded areas with well-drained soil. Care should be taken to avoid contact with the sap, and the plant should be handled with gloves.

Related pages[edit]

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-{{jpg-image}}<br>'''Daphne laureola''', commonly known as spurge laurel, is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Thymelaeaceae]]. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. This evergreen shrub typically grows to 1-1.5 meters in height and is characterized by its glossy, lance-shaped leaves and small, fragrant greenish-yellow flowers. The flowers bloom in late winter to early spring, making it one of the earliest flowering plants in its native habitat. Despite its common name, it is not related to the true laurel, [[Laurus nobilis]], or the spurge, [[Euphorbia]] spp.
+== Daphne laureola ==
-==Description==
+[[File:Daphne_laureola_8703.jpg|thumb|right|Daphne laureola in bloom]]
-''Daphne laureola'' features dark green, leathery leaves that are arranged in a whorled pattern along its stems. The plant's flowers are produced in clusters, with each flower being small and bell-shaped. Following the flowering period, the plant produces a black berry-like fruit, which is toxic to humans and animals if ingested.
-==Habitat and Distribution==
+'''Daphne laureola''', commonly known as '''spurge-laurel''', is an evergreen shrub belonging to the family [[Thymelaeaceae]]. It is native to [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]], and it has been introduced to other regions, including parts of [[North America]].
-''Daphne laureola'' is found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous woodlands, forest margins, and shaded hedge banks. It prefers calcareous soils but can also grow on acidic substrates. Its native range extends from the British Isles across Europe to the Caucasus and into North Africa. It has also been introduced to North America, where it is considered an invasive species in some regions.
-==Ecology==
+== Description ==
-The plant is pollinated by a variety of insects, including bees and flies. The toxic nature of its berries serves as a defense mechanism against herbivory, although some bird species are known to feed on them without apparent harm. ''Daphne laureola'' plays a role in its ecosystem by providing early spring nectar sources for pollinators.
-==Cultivation and Uses==
+Daphne laureola is a small, evergreen shrub that typically grows to a height of 1 to 1.5 meters. The leaves are glossy, dark green, and lanceolate, measuring 5 to 15 cm in length. The plant produces small, yellowish-green flowers that are fragrant and appear in clusters at the base of the leaves. These flowers bloom in late winter to early spring.
-While not widely cultivated, ''Daphne laureola'' can be found in some gardens and is valued for its early flowering period and evergreen foliage. It requires a shaded or semi-shaded location with well-drained soil. Care should be taken when handling the plant, as all parts of it are toxic and can cause skin irritation or more severe health issues if ingested.
-==Conservation==
+The fruit of Daphne laureola is a small, black berry that is toxic to humans and animals if ingested. The plant contains compounds that can cause skin irritation upon contact.
-Currently, ''Daphne laureola'' does not face any immediate threats and is classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN. However, habitat destruction and the spread of invasive species could pose future risks to its populations.
-==Toxicity==
+== Habitat and Distribution ==
-All parts of ''Daphne laureola'' are poisonous due to the presence of daphnetoxin. Ingestion of the plant can lead to severe health issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, coma or death. Contact with the skin can cause dermatitis.
+Daphne laureola is commonly found in shaded, woodland areas and thrives in well-drained soils. It is tolerant of a range of soil types but prefers calcareous soils. The plant is often found in [[deciduous]] and [[mixed forests]], as well as in [[hedgerows]] and [[shrublands]].
+In its native range, Daphne laureola is widespread across [[Western Europe]], including the [[British Isles]], [[France]], [[Spain]], and [[Italy]]. It has also been introduced to parts of [[North America]], where it is considered an invasive species in some regions.
+== Toxicity ==
+All parts of Daphne laureola are toxic if ingested, with the berries being particularly poisonous. The plant contains [[daphnetoxin]], which can cause severe irritation to the skin and mucous membranes. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to respiratory distress and even death.
+== Cultivation ==
+Despite its toxicity, Daphne laureola is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. It is best grown in shaded or partially shaded areas with well-drained soil. Care should be taken to avoid contact with the sap, and the plant should be handled with gloves.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Daphne (plant)]]
+* [[Thymelaeaceae]]
+* [[Invasive species]]
 [[Category:Thymelaeaceae]]
 [[Category:Flora of Europe]]
-[[Category:Flora of North Africa]]
+[[Category:Invasive plant species in North America]]
-[[Category:Flora of Western Asia]]
-[[Category:Poisonous plants]]
-{{botany-stub}}