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Daphne mezereum
  • Mezereon

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Daphne genus in the family Thymelaeaceae.

Daphne mezereum 004.JPG
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Loamy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Daphne mezereum has 2 material uses listed
Daphne mezereum has 8 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are highly toxic[1][2][3][4]. Skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis in some people[4][5].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Daphne mezereum.

Material uses

A yellow to greenish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, fruit and bark[6]. The seed contains up to 31% of a fatty oil[7]. No further details are given.

Unknown part

Dye
Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Mezereum has been used in the past for treating rheumatism and indolent ulcers, but because of its toxic nature it is no longer considered to be safe[8]. The plant contains various toxic compounds, including daphnetoxin and mezerein, and these are currently being investigated (1995) for their anti-leukaemia effects[8][9].

The bark is cathartic, diuretic, emetic, rubefacient, stimulant and vesicant[10][1][11][12][13]. The root bark is the most active medically, but the stem bark is also used[10]. It has been used in an ointment to induce discharge in indolent ulcers[10] and also has a beneficial effect upon rheumatic joints[9]. The bark is not usually taken internally and even when used externally this should be done with extreme caution and not applied if the skin is broken[10][12][9]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[1]. The fruits have sometimes been used as a purgative[10].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[1]. It is used in the treatment of various skin complaints and inflammations[1][11].

Unknown part

Cancer
Cathartic
Diuretic
Emetic
Homeopathy
Rubefacient
Stimulant
Vesicant

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe with the pot sealed in a polythene bag to hold in the moisture. Remove this bag as soon as germination takes place[14]. The seed usually germinates better if it is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant) and sown immediately. Germination should normally take place by spring, though it sometimes takes a further year. Stored seed is more problematic. It should be warm stratified for 8 - 12 weeks at 20°c followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°c. Germination may still take another 12 months or more at 15°c[14]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Layering.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Daphne mezereum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

A good sandy loam suits most members of this genus[15]. Prefers a good heavy soil and some shade[16][17]. Prefers a calcareous soil[6][18][3] and cool moist conditions[15][17]. There is no evidence to suggest it requires a calcareous soil, but all members of this genus do well on acid soils[15].

A very ornamental plant[19], it is hardy to about -30°c[20]. Plants tend to be short-lived in cultivation, probably due to excessive seed bearing[15][5]. Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible[21]. They also resent being cut and so should not be pruned unless it is essential[22].

A good bee plant, providing a source of nectar very early in the year[23]. The flowers have a delicious sweet perfume[22].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Daphne mezereum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Daphne mezereum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Daphne mezereum
Genus
Daphne
Family
Thymelaeaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[8][9][10][1][11][12][13]
Material uses & Functions
[6][7]
Botanic
[15][18][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Dye)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Cancer)
  • Unknown part (Cathartic)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Emetic)
  • Unknown part (Homeopathy)
  • Unknown part (Rubefacient)
  • Unknown part (Stimulant)
  • Unknown part (Vesicant)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    1.5 x 1.5 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (1980-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    16. ? Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
    17. ? 17.017.1 Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()
    18. ? 18.018.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    19. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    20. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    21. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    22. ? 22.022.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    23. ? International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (1981-00-00)

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