Scientific Name
Aucuba japonica
Common Name
Japanese aucuba, spotted laurel

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Cornaceae
Plant Description
Evergreen shrub with green stems; leaves alternate, simple, glossy, green or mottled with yellow; flowers axillary, small, 4-parted, purple-maroon; fruit a scarlet or rarely yellow berry.
Origin
Asia.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated woody shrub.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Fruit, leaves.
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, possible fever.
Toxic Principle
Aucubin, a glycoside.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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