Rank Species | Genus Daphne Higher classification Spurge laurels | |
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Similar Spurge laurels, Thymelaeaceae, Edgeworthia chrysantha, Osmanthus fragrans var aura, Enkianthus perulatus | ||
Daphne odora aureomarginata variegated winter daphne
Daphne odora (winter daphne) is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to China, later spreaded to Japan and Korea. It is an evergreen shrub, grown for its very fragrant, fleshy, pale-pink, tubular flowers, each with 4 spreading lobes, and for its glossy foliage. It rarely fruits, producing red berries after flowering.
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The Latin specific epithet odora means "fragrant".
It grows best in fertile, slightly acid, peaty, well-drained soils. It grows in full sun or partial shade, and is hardy to −10 °C (14 °F), possibly lower. In Korea, the plant is also poetically called "churihyang" - a thousand mile scent - referring to the fragrance of the foliage. In Japan, the plant is more commonly known as "jinchoge".
Plants are not long lived, senescing within 8 to 10 years. Daphne generally do not react well to root disturbance, and may transplant badly. D. odora is also susceptible to virus infection, which causes leaf mottling.
All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and a range of domestic animals and some people experience dermatitis from contact with the sap.
Daphne odora is propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Winter daphne daphne odora
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