What does spurge laurel look like?
Identification. Spurge laurel is an evergreen, shade tolerant shrub that grows 2-4 feet high. Young branches are green, turning grey with age. Mature plants have many shoots, with most, if not all, originating very near the base of the plant.
Is spurge laurel invasive?
Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) is neither a spurge nor a laurel, but rather an invasive plant in the Daphne family. Unfortunately, this invasive weed quickly naturalized and escaped into woodlands around the state. Look for it in home landscapes, natural areas, and forest understories.
How do you control Laurel Spurge?
Spurge laurel can be controlled using an herbicide containing the active ingredient triclopyr (Crossbow™, Lilly Miller’s Blackberry and Brush Killer™, others) as a cut-stump treatment. Plants should be cut near the ground and the stump should be treated with herbicide as soon as possible after cutting.
What happens if you eat spurge laurel?
Ingestion: Symptoms usually start within 1-2 hours. Ingestion of 1 or 2 berries may cause a stomach upset. Larger amounts may result in more severe symptoms including irritation to the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and lethargy.
How do I identify my Daphne?
Daphne grows to 1.5 m in height. Its leaves are dark green, glossy, oval-shaped grow in a spiral pattern around the top of the stem. In the spring, clusters of tiny, fragrant, light green flowers form between the leaves. As Daphne gets taller, only the topmost section of the plant has leaves.
What are the black berries on Laurel?
It is a drupe or cluster of fruits that resemble cherries. The fruit is edible but doesn’t taste very good. Birds and wildlife enjoy the drupes. The drupes are 1/2 inch wide and start out green, ripening to a blackish purple.
Is spurge poisonous to dogs?
Closely related to the much-admired ornamental daphnes, all parts of this plant are toxic to dogs, cats and humans and contact with the sap may cause mild to severe dermatitis. Beyond the issue of toxicity, spurge laurel is highly invasive.
Are Daphne plants invasive?
laureola can become a dangerous invasive weed. Growing in sun or shade, it is well-suited to the temperate forest understory and can rapidly colonize areas (both by seeding and by root suckering) to form monotypic stands and out-compete native vegetation.
Is English laurel the same as cherry laurel?
Cherry laurel, also called English laurel, is a large evergreen shrub or small tree often used for landscaping, usually as a hedge. Related to cherry trees, cherry laurel gets its common name from its resemblance to the true laurel tree.
Which is the strongest smelling daphne?
Daphne Perfume Princess is a brand new variety that is taking the gardening world by storm, and will quite possibly over take all other Daphne varieties as the most fragrant on the planet.
What does a daphne shrub look like?
Bears fragrant pink flowers in late-winter, followed by red fruit. D. odora ‘Aureomarginata’ AGM: Evergreen with leaves with yellow wavy margins, red-purple flowers, paler within produced in early spring. Grows to a height of and spread of up to 1.5m (5ft).
Can humans eat laurel berries?
With the exception of Bay Laurel, the short answer is yes. All other Laurel hedging varieties (including berries) are poisonous to both humans and animals. Laurel hedge plants produce hydrocyanic acid which can cause serious complications if ingested.
How tall does a spurge laurel tree get?
The form of the plant looks somewhat like a small tree, 2 to 4 feet tall, with the leaves densely whorled near the top of the stem. Leaves are very dark green, shiny, smooth and thick. The twigs are stout and have a strong odor when cut.
Where to find spurge laurel in Washington State?
Spurge laurel will grow in sun or shade and looks the best with some of both. Look for it in the forest understory. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of spurge laurel in Washington.
Is the spurge laurel plant poisonous to cats?
The berries, leaves, and bark are poisonous to humans, cats, and dogs. Handling the plant can cause contact dermatitis. Once established, this plant is very difficult to eradicate. Spurge laurel is a non-designated Class B noxious weed in King County.
How can I control the growth of spurge laurel?
Spurge laurel reproduces by seed, also can reproduce vegetatively through the production of root sprouts. How Do I Control It? Due to the irritating toxins in the sap, stem, leaves, and fruits, it is advisable to wear gloves and other protective gear when handling spurge laurel. Hand pulling small infestations is effective.