There are over 90 Daphne species that can be either deciduous or evergreen and come from Asia, Europe and North America.

They are noted for their scented flowers and often have brightly colored berries. Their leaves are undivided, mostly arranged alternately. Individual flowers completely lack petals and are formed by four petaloid sepals, tubular at the base with free lobes at the apex.

Daphne are poisonous and of great interest to the medical industry. They contain several classes of phytochemicals such as coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, steroids and different classes of terpenes.

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Pronunciation: DAF-nee

Name Derivation: Named for a nymph of Greek mythology. According to legend, she was transformed into a Laurel to escape Apollo

Common Name: Daphne

Daphne is in the family Thymelaeaceae.

In Our Garden

• Daphne tangutica