Garryaceae FAMILY

Aucuba japonica

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The fruit and leaves contain the toxic glycoside 'aucubin'. This can cause nausea, vomiting and possible fever, though it only causes low toxicity[ 293 Title Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Publication Author Website http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes. ].

Botanical Description

Aucuba japonica is an evergreen shrub of rounded, bushy form; lit can grow 1.8 - 3 metres tall[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ]. The plant is used locally in traditional medicine and as a source of wood for small items. A commonly grown ornamental, it is valued especially for its (often) variegated foliate and bright red fruits. Different cultivars can be used to make hedges or for ground cover.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - China, Japan, Korea

HabitatWoods in lowland and mountains all over Japan[ 58 Title Flora of Japan. (English translation) Publication Author Ohwi. G. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Year 1965 ISBN - Description The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader. ]. In rich forest soils of moist valleys, dense forests, thickets, by streams and near shaded moist rocks in China[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].