Daphne mezereum
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2008-05-30T18:16:30Z
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{{Taxobox
| name = ''Daphne mezereum''
| image = Daphne-mezereum-berries.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Daphne mezereum'' foliage and fruit
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malvales]]
| familia = [[Thymelaeaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Daphne (plant)|Daphne]]''
| species = '''''D. mezereum'''''
| binomial = ''Daphne mezereum''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Daphne mezereum''''' is a species of ''[[Daphne (plant)|Daphne]]'' in the [[flowering plant]] family [[Thymelaeaceae]], native to most of [[Europe]] and western [[Asia]], north to northern [[England]] and central [[Scandinavia]]. In southern Europe it is confined to medium to higher elevations and in the subalpine vegetation zone, but descends to near sea level in northern Europe. It is generally confined to soils derived from [[limestone]]. The common name is '''Mezereon'''.
It is a [[deciduous]] [[shrub]] growing to 1.5 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are soft, 3-8 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, arranged spirally on the stems. The [[flower]]s are produced in early spring on the bare stems before the leaves appear. They have a four-lobed pink or light purple (rarely white) [[perianth]] 10-15 mm diameter, and are strongly scented. The [[fruit]] is a bright red [[berry]] 7-12 mm diameter; it is very [[poison]]ous for people, though fruit-eating [[bird]]s like [[thrush (bird)|thrushes]] are immune and eat them, dispersing the [[seed]]s in their droppings.
==Toxicity==
''Daphne mezereum'' is very toxic because of the [[daphnetoxin]] present especially in the berries and twigs. If poisoned, victims experience a choking sensation. Handling the fresh twigs can cause rashes and [[eczema]] in sensitive individuals. Despite this, it is commonly grown as an [[ornamental plant]] in gardens for its attractive flowers.
<gallery>
Image:Gewoehnlicher Seidelbast Daphne mezereum.jpg|High detail
Image:Daphne mezereum1.jpg|In flower
Image:Daphne mezereum4.jpg|Close-up of flowers
Image:Daphne mezereum Berries2.jpg|Fruit
</gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Daphne mezereum2.jpg|White-flowered cultivar
Image:Daphne-mezereum-habit2.JPG|Cultivated plant in flower in March
Image:Koeh-050.jpg|Illustration of foliage and fruit
</gallery>
==References==
* ''This article is based on a translation of an article from the [[:de:Hauptseite|German Wikipedia]]''.
* Manfred A. Fischer: ''Exkursionsflora von Österreich'', Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-8001-3461-6
* Smeil, Fitschen: ''Flora von Deutschland'', Heidelberg, Wiesbaden.
<br clear=all />
==External links==
*[http://www.discoverplants.com/plant-types/shrubs-and-bushes/mezereon/ Mezereon Plant Information]<br>
{{Commons|Daphne mezereum}}
[[Category:Thymelaeaceae]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants]]
[[Category:Alpine flora]]
[[ca:Tintorell]]
[[cs:Lýkovec jedovatý]]
[[da:Peberbusk]]
[[de:Echter Seidelbast]]
[[fr:Bois joli]]
[[it:Daphne mezereum]]
[[lt:Paprastasis žalčialunkis]]
[[hu:Farkasboroszlán]]
[[nl:Rood peperboompje]]
[[pl:Wawrzynek wilczełyko]]
[[sq:Jargavan mali]]
[[sk:Lykovec jedovatý]]
[[fi:Näsiä]]
[[sv:Tibast]]
[[tr:Mezeryon]]
[[uk:Вовчі ягоди звичайні]]
[[wa:Daphne mezereum]]