Mezereon
Daphne mezereum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Moderate (125 studies) · ★★★☆☆
Mezereoon, scientifically known as Daphne mezereum, is a deciduous shrub renowned for its striking, fragrant pink flowers and bright red berries. While historically utilized in traditional medicine for its potent bioactive compounds, it is highly toxic. Caution is essential, as all parts of this plant contain dangerous alkaloids.
- Family
- Thymelaeaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- February Daphne · Lady Laurel · 6 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Thymelaea Mezereum
Names
Common Names
- February daphne
- lady laurel
- mezereon
- paradise plant
- paradise-plant
- mezereum
- spurge laurel
- spurge olive
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Daphne liottardi
- Daphne lateriflora
- Daphne mezereum var. albida
- Daphne mezereum var. album
- Laureola foemina
- Matacabras
- Daphne houtteana
- Mezereum officinarum
- Daphne florida
- Daphne albiflora
- Daphne mezereum var. rubrum
- Thymelaea praecox
- Daphne mezereum var. albaplena
- Thymelaea mezereum
- Leño gentil
- Laureola hembra
German:
- Echter Seidelbast
- Gewöhnlicher Seidelbast
- Gemeiner Seidelbast
- bois-gentil
- Kellerhals
- Echter Seidelbast
- Ziland
French:
- bois-joli
- Bois joli
- Bois gentil
- Bois-gentil
- bois gentil
- bois joli
- daphné mézéréon
- Bois-gentil
- Bois-joli
- Jolibois
- Verdelet
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Daphne mezereumSynonyms
- Thymelaea mezereum
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 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Daphnin, 12-Hydroxydaphnetoxin, ARABINOGALACTAN, Arabinan, BETA-SITOSTEROL.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Daphnin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 12-Hydroxydaphnetoxin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ARABINOGALACTAN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Arabinan | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Daphnetoxin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Daphnoretin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Galactan | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mannan | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Daphnin
- Dr. Duke
- Phytochemistry
12-Hydroxydaphnetoxin
- Dr. Duke
ARABINOGALACTAN
- Carbohydrate polymers
Arabinan
- Carbohydrate polymers
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Dr. Duke
Daphnetoxin
- Dr. Duke
Daphnoretin
- Dr. Duke
FAT
- Dr. Duke
Galactan
- Carbohydrate polymers
Mannan
- Carbohydrate polymers
Activities
Daphne mezereum has 99 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aggregant, Analgesic, Androgenic, Angiogenic, Anorexic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Androgenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Angiogenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anorexic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anti-LDL | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiDNA | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiRNA | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiadenomic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiallergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Daphne mezereum has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, cancers, tuberculosis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| diarrhea | Carbohydrate polymers (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | Science (New York, N.Y.) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuberculosis | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |