Daphniphyllum macropodum

• BOTANICAL NAME: Daphniphyllum macropodum
• PRONUNCIATION: daff-ne-FI-lum (daf-ne-FILL-um) mac-cro-PODE-dum
• COMMON NAME: Daphniphyllum
• FAMILY: Daphniphyllaceae
• NATIVITY: China, Korea, Japan
• GROWTH HABIT: Large rounded shrub or small tree
• SIZE: 10 - 30'
• HARDINESS: Zone 7 - 9
• CULTURE: Sun to partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Benefits from winter protection.
• LANDSCAPE USE: The good rhododendron-like foliage is a welcome addition as a specimen or in combination with other plants. The growth habit is consistent, and as a result, it may be used in more formal settings.
• FOLIAGE: Alternate, oblong 3 - 8" long, glabrous, rhododendron-like. The mid vein and petiole may be tinged red.
• BUDS: Imbricate, greenish red. Terminal buds (1/2" long) are conical and lateral buds (1/8" long) are ovoid.
• BARK: Young branches rather thick, bluish green; turns reddish in winter.
• FLOWERS: Racemes in the axils of the leaves, about 1" long. Flowers are green or creamy white and inconspicuous.
• FRUIT: Blue-black, 1/2".
• PROPAGATION: Seed.
• PESTS: None serious.
• CULTIVARS:
  • `Variegatum' - marginal white variegation