Spotted Laurel, Japanese laurel, Japanese Gold Dust Tree

Aucuba japonica

Physical Characteristics

Aucuba japonica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen from October to February. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked. An emergency food[177]. It would have to be quite an emergency to convince me to eat them[K].

Medicinal Uses

Poultice The leaves are pounded and applied to burns, swellings, chilblains etc[218].

Known Hazards

None known