Aucuba (Aucuba japonica)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Garryales>Garryaceae>Aucuba japonica Thunberg

Other names: Japanese-laurel, Spotted-laurel

Aucuba (Aucuba japonica)
Aucuba, an evergreen shrub native to Japan and China, is common in cultivation, but a rare escape into suburban woodlands. The plant photographed here at Battle Park in Chapel Hill is so far the only escape I've seen (and not a particularly attractive specimen!).
The large evergreen leaves give it the alternate common name Japanese-laurel, though it has no relation to true laurel. In most cultivar the leaves are flecked with yellow spots, leading to another common name, Spotted-laurel.
Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
Aucuba (Aucuba japonica)
Aucuba has recently been moved to the Garryaceae from the Cornaceae (dogwood family).
Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.

The flowers are tiny and brownish — not ornamental.
Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.

The bark is green, becoming striped with age.
Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.

More information:
Floridata
NC State
USDA PLANTS database

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cwcook@duke.edu

	Aucuba, an evergreen shrub native to Japan and China, is common in cultivation, but a rare escape into suburban woodlands. The plant photographed here at Battle Park in Chapel Hill is so far the only escape I've seen (and not a particularly attractive specimen!). The large evergreen leaves give it the alternate common name Japanese-laurel, though it has no relation to true laurel. In most cultivar the leaves are flecked with yellow spots, leading to another common name, Spotted-laurel. Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
	Aucuba has recently been moved to the Garryaceae from the Cornaceae (dogwood family). Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
	The flowers are tiny and brownish — not ornamental. Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
	The bark is green, becoming striped with age. Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.