Scientific Name
Daphne mezereum
Common Name
Daphne, spurge laurel, February daphne

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Characteristics

Family
Thymelaeaceae
Plant Description
Deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub; leaves alternate, simple; flowers very fragrant, lilac to rose-purple or white, 2-3 per cluster and developing before the leaves; fruit a red or yellow drupe.
Origin
Europe.
Where Found
Landscape as cultivated ornamental shrub.
Mode
Ingestion, dermatitis.
Poisonous Part
Fruits and leaves.
Symptoms
Swelling of lips and tongue, thirst, difficulty of swallowing, nausea, vomiting, internal bleeding with bloody diarrhea, weakness, and coma. Skin irritation with blisters upon contact with leaves.
Toxic Principle
Diterpenoid (mezerein).
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

"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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