Daphne

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 356. 1753.

Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 167. 1754.

Introduced
Etymology: Greek, laurel
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 6. Treatment on page 384. Mentioned on page 381.
Revision as of 17:49, 18 September 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

Shrubs, deciduous or evergreen, to 1.5 m. Stems erect, procumbent, or prostrate, branched, not jointed, thick, glabrous or glabrescent. Leaves clustered distally, sessile or subsessile; blade obovate or oblong to lanceolate, surfaces glabrous or hairy. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, capitate, fasciculate, or racemose, flowers sessile [petiolate]; bracts 0. Flowers: hypanthium tubular to narrowly funnelform; calyx 4-lobed, lobes spreading or slightly reflexed; petals absent; stamens 8, usually included, in distal 1/2 of tube; style included, short or absent; stigma capitate. Fruits drupaceous, yellow, red, or black, fleshy, hypanthium not persistent.

Distribution

s, c Europe, n Africa, Asia, temperate and subtropical, widely cultivated in temperate areas.

Discussion

Species 70 (2 in the flora).

Key

1 Leaves deciduous; branches glabrescent; leaf blades membranous, adaxial surface matte; hypanthia pink, red, or white; drupes red or yellow. Daphne mezereum
1 Leaves persistent; branches glabrous; leaf blades coriaceous, adaxial surface shiny; hypanthia yellow-green or yellow; drupes black. Daphne laureola