How to identify Winter daphne (Daphne odora)

How to identify Winter daphne (Daphne odora)

Winter daphne, also known as Gold-edged winter daphne

Winter daphne is distinguished by its coriaceous (leather-like), shiny dark green leaves that are alternately arranged, though their dense clustering can give them a whorled appearance. This evergreen shrub typically reaches heights of 4 to 6 1/2 feet (1.2 to 2.0 meters) and spreads about 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) wide. It bears unmistakable fragrant floral cymes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, which are composed of salverform flowers. These blooms are typically cream to purplish in color and exhibit a four-lobed structure.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Winter daphne

Leaves are coriaceous, shiny dark green, alternately arranged, with elliptic-oblong shape and pointed tips.

Fragrant floral cymes with cream to purplish salverform flowers, 1 inch across.

Terminal, rosy purple buds opening to rose pink, creamy white to purplish salverform flowers.

Red, rounded fleshy drupe, 0.4 inches in diameter, in small clusters with single seed.

Few, erect stems with minimal branching, green to reddish-brown, 0.2-0.4 inches in diameter.

Detailed Traits of Winter daphne

Leaf Features

The leaves of winter daphne are alternate, simple, and have a leathery texture. They are shiny and dark green, measuring 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in length. The leaves are elliptic-oblong in shape with pointed and tapered ends, and their surfaces are glossy. Each leaf has an acute tip and a narrow, wedge-shaped (cuneate) base. The leaf edges are smooth (entire), and the overall texture is coriaceous and durable.

Leaf Base

Cuneate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

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Flower Features

Winter daphne flowers are fragrant, bloom from late winter to early spring, and feature rosy purple buds that open rose pink. The small cymes are terminal, with each flower measuring about 1/4 inch (6 mm) across. The flowers are salverform and creamy white to purplish. They have a cylindrical fleshy calyx tube with four spreading lobes, but no petals.

Inflorescence Type

Capitulum/Head

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Stem Features

The stems of winter daphne are few and erect. They are slender, green to reddish-brown, and glabrous, with a smooth texture. The stems range from 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5 to 10 mm) in diameter. They exhibit minimal branching, creating a refined and upright appearance. The nodes are spaced evenly, giving the plant a balanced and orderly structure. These stems support the characteristic fragrant blooms of winter daphne, making them a key feature in the plant's morphology.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of winter daphne is a rounded, fleshy drupe that typically measures about 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter. Upon maturity, it exhibits a vivid red hue. The surface of the drupe is smooth with a somewhat leathery texture. While the fruit is infrequently produced, when present, it can be a distinctive feature for identification. Enclosed within the drupe is a single seed, which is surrounded by the red flesh. These fruits are usually found in small clusters on the plant.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Winter daphne and Their Similar Plants

February daphne vs. Winter daphne: What's The Difference?

The Daphne mezereum is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 1.5 m tall. Its leaves are soft, spirally arranged on the stems. The february daphne produces a bright red berry as the fruit which is extremely poisonous for humans.

Tangut daphne vs. Winter daphne: What's The Difference?

Tangut daphne is an evergreen shrub adored by gardeners for its profusion of pretty white flowers, which are embellished with a dusting of purple. The fragrant flowers turn into scarlet-red berries that attract birds. This plant is frequently planted in woodland gardens and mixed borders. Parts of the shrub are toxic, so it should be handled with care.

Lilac daphne vs. Winter daphne: What's The Difference?

Lilac daphne is a fascinating plant with a rich history. It has been used in gardens for its beautiful blooms and unique fragrance. One interesting fact about this plant is its culinary use in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is believed to have medicinal properties. Another fascinating aspect of lilac daphne is its invasiveness in certain areas, where it can quickly spread and dominate ecosystems. Overall, lilac daphne is a plant that captures attention with its beauty and intriguing characteristics.

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Key Facts About Winter daphne

Attributes of Winter daphne

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

91 cm to 1.2 m

Spread

60 cm to 1.2 m

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Winter daphne

Highly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Winter daphne

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mallows, rock-roses, and allies

Family

Mezereum

Genus

Daphnes

Species

Winter daphne (Daphne odora)

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Distribution Map of Winter daphne

Winter daphne, renowned for its fragrant blooms, is native to major regions in East Asia. This plant has expanded its range, now also introduced and thriving in parts of Northeast Asia. Additionally, winter daphne has become a favored plant beyond its native and naturalized areas, widely cultivated for its alluring characteristics.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Winter daphne

A Comprehensive Guide to Winter daphne How to Grow and Care for Winter daphne