Common Name:

General Information

Daphne oleoides is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall
The plantt is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[]. Skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis in some people[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

Mediterranean region - Spain to Turkey and Syria; Algeria.

Habitat

Dry open slopes in Kashmir, 1700 - 2300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Daphne oleoides is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -5°c when fully dormant[].
Prefers a cool lime-free well-drained friable soil[]. Plants are usually calcicole and require an acid soil[]. Survives in any well-fed and well-drained soil in sun or part shade according to one report which also says that it is a reliable plant in most parts of the country[].
Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
The flowers have a clove-like perfume[].

Edible Uses

There is a report that the fruit is eaten, but this report then goes on to say that they cause nausea and vomiting[]. There is also a report that they can be distilled to make an alcoholic drink[].

Medicinal

The roots are purgative[, , ].

An infusion of the bark and leaves are used as a wash in the treatment of cutaneous affections[]. The leaves are also used in the treatment of gonorrhoea and are applied to abscesses[].

Other Uses

None known

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[]. 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[]. 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, mid summer in a frame.