How to identify Japanese laurel (Aucuba japonica)

How to identify Japanese laurel (Aucuba japonica)

Japanese laurel, also known as Gold dust plant

Japanese laurel is distinguished by its lustrous, leathery, elliptical leaves that are oppositely arranged on the stem. The foliage, boasting an exotic variegated pattern, may exhibit entire or mildly toothed margins. These green stems bear witness to the striking contrast of persistent red to burgundy fruit, which adorns the shrub from autumn until spring, providing a vibrant display. The evergreen nature of japanese laurel ensures year-round visual interest in the landscape.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Japanese laurel

Lustrous, leathery elliptical leaves with variegated patterns and opposite arrangement on stem.

Persistent red to burgundy fruit, providing vibrant display from autumn to spring.

Small flowers with four purple-maroon petals and white anthers, blooming in early spring.

Ellipsoid fruit, vivid red in color, drupe-like berries up to 1/2 inch in length.

Fleshy stem, deep green to brownish hue, up to 1 inch in diameter, suitable for propagation.

Detailed Traits of Japanese laurel

Leaf Features

The leaves of japanese laurel are medium to dark green, elliptical to ovate, and measure up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. Notably, the upper half of each leaf exhibits marginal teeth. Leaves are opposite and simple, with a coriaceous (leathery) texture. Their shape ranges from elliptic-ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, and they can be entire or dentate along the margins. Young leaves exposed to direct sunlight will darken in color.

Leaf Base

Cuneate ,

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Apex

Acuminate

Leaf Texture

Coriaceous

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Flower Features

Japanese laurel flowers are small and not particularly showy. They feature four purple-maroon petals and four sepals arranged in a cross shape, with white anthers. Blooming in early spring, these dioecious flowers appear on separate male and female plants. Male flowers form in terminal cymes or panicles up to 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) long, while female flowers are shorter and grow in the leaf axils.

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Stem Features

Japanese laurel has a fleshy stem, characterized by its robustness and slightly glossy texture. The stem is typically a deep green color in younger plants, transitioning to a brownish hue as it matures. It measures up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, providing sturdy support for the plant’s growth. The branching pattern is somewhat irregular, with new growth emerging from the nodes. This fleshy quality makes the stem particularly suitable for vegetative propagation, allowing easy cultivation.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of japanese laurel is characterized by a vivid red color and an ellipsoid shape. Each fruit is a berry-like drupe, typically measuring up to 1/2 inch (approximately 1.27 centimeters) in length. These fruits contain a single seed, enclosed within a fleshy exterior. They reach maturity and ripen in the fall, persisting on the plant and adding visual interest well into the spring season. The texture of the fruit is somewhat fleshy, contributing to its berry-like appearance.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Japanese laurel and Their Similar Plants

Gold dust Japanese laurel vs. Japanese laurel: What's The Difference?

Gold dust Japanese laurel, sometimes referred to as the "gold dust laurel" is a distinctive and beautiful ornamental cultivar of the Japanese laurel. It is striking for its scores of golden yellow flecks and blotches on its dark green leaves. In mild and temperate climates, this cultivar is a popular way to add a splash of color to outdoor gardens. Smaller specimens can also be grown inside in containers.

Spotted laurel vs. Japanese laurel: What's The Difference?

Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Picturata') is so-named because picturata is Latin for painted and this striking hybrid has bright yellow leaf interiors that look like they have been added with a paintbrush. In contrast the parent plant features golden spots on its green leaves. This showy evergreen offers year-round color and is a versatile specimen, bed and border, hedging, or container plant.

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Key Facts About Japanese laurel

Attributes of Japanese laurel

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

1 m to 5 m

Spread

1.5 m to 2.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Variegated

Flower Size

4 mm to 8 mm

Flower Color

Purple

Red

Fruit Color

Red

Burgundy

Stem Color

Green

Red

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Japanese laurel

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Japanese laurel

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Japanese laurel (Aucuba japonica)

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Distribution Map of Japanese laurel

Japanese laurel is native only to Japan, and Korea, where it grows along streams and in moist woodland areas and thickets. It has been introduced sporadically in Europe, East Asia, and the US as a garden plant. It is considered invasive in Virginia.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese laurel How to Grow and Care for Japanese laurel