Daphne laureola L.

An evergreen shrub of bushy habit 2 to 4 ft high, devoid of down in all its parts. Leaves oblanceolate, tapered gradually to the base, more abruptly to the point; from 11⁄2 to 41⁄2 in. long, 1⁄2 to 11⁄2 in. wide, dark lustrous green, and of thick, firm texture. Flowers yellowish green, fragrant at times, opening in February and March; they are borne in clusters of three to eight blossoms, each cluster on a common stalk about 1⁄2 in. long, springing from the axils of the uppermost leaves of the preceding year’s growth. Flowers 1⁄3 in. long, 1⁄4 in. diameter. Fruit ovoid, bluish black when ripe, poisonous.

Native of S. and W. Europe, including England, and of N. Africa and the Azores. It prefers a moist soil and semi-shade, and is useful in woodland, chiefly for its shining evergreen foliage, for the flowers are only intermittently fragrant and have no bright colour to recommend them. D. pontica differs in having larger, mostly twin flowers produced at the base of the new shoots six or eight weeks later, and thinner leaves.