Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Daphne laureola L.

Fully hardy, bushy, evergreen shrub with inversely lance-shaped leaves and axillary clusters of up to 10 slightly fragrant, yellowish pale green flowers in late winter and spring, followed by fleshy black fruit.  To 1m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

An ancient garden plant.  ‘In woods and thickets, in clay and chalky soils.  Rather rare or local, but widely distributed in England.  Very rare in Scotland, and having very slender claims to be considered native in that country, being only found in ornamental woods. […] The Spurge Laurel possesses similar properties to the Mezereon [see Daphne mezereum L.], and may in many cases be substituted for it.  Though not so showy in its flowers, it is a valuable plant for shrubberies, from its being evergreen, and from its thick glossy leaves being disposed in tufts at the end of its branches, so as to give it a full bushy appearance.  It thrives best in the shade, and will grow under the drip of trees, where few other plants would thrive.  The berries are black when ripe, and are a favourite food of singing-birds, though poisonous to all other creatures.’  [English Botany vol.8, p.86/1863-1886].

Figured in Saint-Hilaire pl.325/1831.  This figure is used as illustration here.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.376/1843], an earlier importation was possibly lost as it was obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  Macarthur indicated that it was not new to the colony.  [ML A1980-3].

Notes

Published Mar 06, 2010 - 04:31 PM | Last updated Mar 06, 2010 - 04:38 PM

Figured is a terminal cluster of lance-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers.  Saint-Hilaire pl.325, 1831.

Daphne laureola L. | Saint-Hilaire pl.325/1831 | BHL

Family Thymelaeaceae
Category
Region of origin

Europe, including England, north Africa

Synonyms
Common Name

Spurge laurel

Name in the Camden Park Record

Daphne laureola - Spurge Laurel 

Confidence level high