Species of plant
Daphne odora, winter daphne, is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to China, later spread to Japan and Korea. It is an evergreen shrub, grown for its very fragrant, fleshy, pale-pink, tubular flowers, each with four spreading lobes, and for its glossy foliage. It rarely fruits, producing red berries after flowering.
The Latin specific epithet odora means "fragrant".[2] In Korea, the plant is also poetically called "chullihyang" – a thousand-mile scent – referring to the delightful fragrance of the flowers. In Japan, the plant is more commonly known as "jinchōge".
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.
Plants are not long lived, usually lasting eight to ten years.[3] 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.[4]
All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and to a range of domestic animals.[5] Some people experience dermatitis from contact with the sap.[6]
Daphne odora may be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Cultivars
- D. odora f. rosacea has white and pink flowers.
- D. odora f. rubra has dark red-pink flowers with reduced fragrance.
- D. odora 'Aureomarginata' has yellow edged leaves, and is hardier and more suitable to cultivation than the plain-leaved forms.[4]
References
