Daphne gnidium
| Daphne gnidium | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Daphne gnidium (common name: flax-leaved daphne)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe with the pot sealed in a polythene bag to hold in the moisture. Remove this bag as soon as germination takes place[1]. The seed usually germinates better if it is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant) and sown immediately. Germination should normally take place by spring, though it sometimes takes a further year. Stored seed is more problematic. It should be warm stratified for 8 - 12 weeks at 20°c followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°c. Germination may still take another 12 months or more at 15°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.
Root cuttings, December in a greenhouse.
Cultivation: Prefers a well-drained but moisture-retentive slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil[2]. A good sandy loam suits most members of the genus[3].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c, it should succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[4].
Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible[5].
The flowers, which are produced in terminal clusters, are sweetly scented[6].
Range: S. Europe, N. Africa and W. Asia.
Habitat: Grows with other evergreen shrubs on shallow, stony soils, often on hillsides.
Medicinal: The plant contains toxic compounds that are being investigated for anti-leukaemia effects[4].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, lepidoptera
Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous[7]. Skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis in some people[2].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.