Practical
Plants

Aucuba japonica

Spotted Laurel

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Aucuba genus in the family Cornaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Cornaceae
Genus
Aucuba
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3 m
Spread
2.5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked. An emergency food[4]. It would have to be quite an emergency to convince me to eat them[K].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are pounded and applied to burns, swellings, chilblains etc[9].

Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Makes a good hedge but its large leaves mean that it is quite labour intensive to maintain if a neatly clipped appearance is desired[11]. Unless you are happy with the large leaves being cut in half, it means that you have to trim the hedge with secateurs[11]. The plant will eventually make large weed-excluding shrubs and are suitable for covering large areas of ground, there are some dwarf forms that can be grown for ground cover[8]. 'Nana Rotundifolia' has been mentioned and will form a hummock of growth about 1 metre across[8].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Woods in lowland and mountains all over Japan[12]. In rich forest soils of moist valleys, dense forests, thickets, by streams and near shaded moist rocks in China[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3]. Wash off the pulpy coating since this can inhibit germination. Stored seed should be soaked overnight and then stratified for 1 - 2 weeks at 3°c[3]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months or more at 20°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once they are 20cm or more tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm long outdoors at any time between September to February though October and November are best[13]. Very easy, even small branches will root[1]. Layering in autumn. Takes 12 months[13].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very tolerant and easily grown plant[1], it thrives in most soils and even in the total shade of trees[2][5][7] though for good fruit production a position with at least moderate sun should be chosen[2]. Tolerates dry soils and drought[6][7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates salt winds[7]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[2]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[6][7]. Often grown in the ornamental garden, there are many named varieties[5]. The foliage can be scorched in very long hot summers if the plant is in an open position[7]. Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut right back into the old wood if required[6][7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  10. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  11. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩1↩2

  12. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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