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Daphne or Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola)

Submitted by Victoria on Thu, 02/15/2024 - 18:22
Region
Victoria


Scientific Name: Daphne laureola, commonly known as Daphne or spurge laurel.

By Laura Black

Daphne

How to Identify

Daphne grows to 1.5 m in height in either a single stem or a multi-branching shrub.  As it gets taller, only the topmost section of the plant has leaves. Its rhododendron-like leaves are dark green, glossy, oval-shaped and grown in a spiral pattern around the top of the stem.

Daphne leaves

In the spring, axial clusters of tiny, fragrant, light yellow-green flowers form between the leaves.  The young fruit are green turning to black and even though poisonous to pets & humans – wild birds like them.

Daphne flowers

Which parts of the plant are poisonous? 
The toxins are concentrated in the sap, bark and berries. Spurge Laurel is listed as a poisonous plant with the Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System and as a toxic plant by Worksafe BC.  Its toxic sap can cause skin rashes, nausea, swelling of the tongue, and in rare instances coma.

How to Remove
Daphne is designated as a ‘Management Species’ on the BC Provincial Priority Invasive Species List. Always wear your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - gloves and preferably goggles and a breathing mask.  Small plants can be pulled out by hand, but larger plants should be carefully cut just below the soil line (removing some roots) with large loppers.  Many non-profit organizations and CRD-based volunteer groups tackle the removal of invasive plant species.  

  • Reach out and get trained on how to remove invasive species with like-minded enthusiastic volunteers with organizations such as:

Habitat Acquisition Trust
Greater Victoria Green Team - An Environmental Charity
Volunteering for Regional Parks

How to Dispose of Plants

  • Place in bags or covered loads marked as ‘Invasive Species’ and take to the Hartland Landfill

What to Grow Instead of Daphne laureola:

  • Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum).
  • Japanese azalea (Rhododendron kiusianum hybrids).
  • Oregon grape (Berberis Nervosa).
  • Tall oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium).
  • Winter daphne (Daphne Odora). 

Sources:

Invasive Species Council of BC: Youtube video, "How to ID & Manage Daphne laurel".   How to: ID and Manage Daphne laurel
The Invasive Species Council of BC: Fact Sheet - About This Species.  https://bcinvasives.ca/invasives/daphne-spurge-laurel/
The Invasive Species Council of BC: Fact sheet - Grow Me Instead.  https://bcinvasives.ca/play-your-part/plantwise/grow-me-instead/
WorkSafeBC: Fact Sheet - Toxic Plant Warning (Publication Date: 2006)
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/information-sheets/toxic-plant-warning/severe-skin-irritation-from-spurge-laurel-daphne-laureola?lang=en
Capital Regional District: Fact Sheet - Invasive Species.  Information on disposal.  https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/concerns/invasive-species