Spotted laurel, Japanese laurel
Aucuba japonica
Family: Garryaceae
What it is like
A bushy shrub. It grows 1.8-3 m high. It forms sprouts at the base. Stems are weak and lay on the ground forming roots. The leaves are large and glossy. They They are 25 cm long and have teeth. The flowers are small and white, purple or red. The fruit are berries and are green but eventually turn scarlet. They droop in clusters. Fruit are 12 mm long. Trees can be separately male and female.
There are 3 or 4 Aucuba species. Also put in the family Aucubaceae. There is only one genus in the Aucubaceae
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. They can tolerate frost. It will grow on almost any soil. It can tolerate dry shade. It suits hardiness zones 7-9. At Anvers Chocolate factory. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Nepal, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tasmania, Taiwan
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or tip cuttings. They can also be grown by layering.
Its other names
Local names
Aucuba, Gold dust plant, Peach leaf coral, Perdu salam berbintik, Perdu salam jepang, Taoye shanhu