Daphne mezereum

Daphne mezereum, commonly known as February Daphne, is a striking deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant, pink blossoms. While its early spring blooms offer ornamental beauty, all parts of the plant are highly toxic. Historically used in traditional medicine, it requires extreme caution due to its potent chemical properties.

  • Scientific name: Daphne mezereum
  • Family: Thymelaeaceae
  • Native range: Europe

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 is identified by the genus Daphne. Specifically, its taxonomic designation is Daphne mezereum.

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 exhibits a specific distribution across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends to the territories of Finland and Norway. The species is also documented throughout the various regions of Sweden. Finally, its geographical range includes the islands of Great Britain.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP

Chemicals

Daphne mezereum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Daphnin, arabinan, arabinogalactan, dihydrodaphnodorin B, galactan.

Total chemicals
11
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Daphnin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arabinan 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arabinogalactan 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dihydrodaphnodorin B 1 ★☆☆☆☆
galactan 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mannan 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neochamaejasmin A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neochamaejasmin B 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rhamnogalacturonan-I 1 ★☆☆☆☆
syringin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Daphne mezereum has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, cancers, tuberculosis.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
diarrhea 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cancers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tuberculosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆