Flax-leaved Daphne

Daphne gnidium · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (26 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Flax-leaved Daphne, scientifically known as Daphne gnidium, is a highly toxic evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Characterized by its glossy, lanceolate leaves and fragrant white flowers, it contains potent daphnane diterpene esters. Due to its extreme toxicity, it must be handled with extreme caution.

Family
Thymelaeaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Leaf
Common names
Flax-Leaved Daphne · Spurge Flax
Scientific synonyms
Mistralia Gnidium · Laureola Gnidium · 1 more

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Torvisco
  • Mistralia gnidium
  • Laureola gnidium
  • Thymelaea gnidium
  • Daphne paniculata
  • Boliaga
  • Buralaga
  • Burhalaga
  • Chorovisco
  • Chorvisca
  • Chorvisco
  • Culopollo
  • Espantamoscas
  • Espantapulgas
  • Pimienta del monte
  • Torbisca
  • Torvisquera
  • Torvisquina
  • Torbisco
  • Matagallina
  • Torvizco
  • Torbisquera
  • Matalagallina
  • Torbizco
  • Trovisco
  • Truvisco
  • Torobisco
  • Torovisca
  • Torovisco
  • Matapollera
  • Toroviscu
  • Torovizco
  • Alentisco
  • Daphne orthophylla
  • Torvisco

German:

  • Herbst-Seidelbast
  • Herbst-Seidelbast

French:

  • Daphné garou
  • Garou (plante)
  • Daphné Garou
  • Daphne garou
  • Daphné garou
  • Garou
  • Saint-Bois
  • Thymèle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Daphne gnidium

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Thymelaeaceae and specifically within the genus Daphne.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malvales WCVP
Family Thymelaeaceae WCVP
Genus Daphne WCVP

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout several regions of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Baleares islands and the island of Corse. Its natural habitat also extends to the mainland areas of France. Additionally, this species is present in the country of Portugal. Finally, its geographical range includes the island of Sardegna.

Region Area Source
Southwestern Europe Baleares WCVP
Southwestern Europe Corse WCVP
Southwestern Europe France WCVP
Southwestern Europe Portugal WCVP
Southwestern Europe Sardegna WCVP
Southwestern Europe Spain WCVP
Southeastern Europe Albania WCVP
Southeastern Europe Greece WCVP
Southeastern Europe Italy WCVP
Southeastern Europe Sicilia WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Daphne gnidium, is a highly potent medicinal species where various components are utilized for their pharmacological properties. The leaf structure serves as a primary site for the accumulation of bioactive compounds, which are often processed to create therapeutic extracts used in traditional medicine. Furthermore, the plant is a source of concentrated essential oil, which contains the aromatic and chemically active constituents responsible for its intense biological effects.
Plant Part Sources Consensus
leaf Cellular immunology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Daphne gnidium has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alkanes, Coumarins, ETHYL ACETATE, Fatty acids, Flavonoids.

Chemicals reported in Daphne gnidium
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Alkanes 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Coumarins 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
ETHYL ACETATE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Fatty acids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Terpenoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Alkanes

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coumarins

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ETHYL ACETATE

  1. Cellular immunology

Fatty acids

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenoids

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Daphne gnidium has 8 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allelopathic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antigenotoxic, Antiviral.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Consensus
Allelopathic Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antigenotoxic Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Hemolytic Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Insecticide Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Neuroprotective Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Daphne gnidium has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include odontalgia, poisoning, sinusitis, skin cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
odontalgia Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
poisoning Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
sinusitis Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
skin cancer Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
ethanolic extracts Planta medica (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ethyl acetate leaf extract Cellular immunology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆