Daphne blagayana (Jeremičak) is NOT a home remedy!

Daphne blagayana is a typical Balkan species of plants. It grows in all the Republics of former Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. It usually grows on the sunny wooded slopes in the rare black pine forests in the months of April and May, and reaches 1600 m above sea level. Daphne blagayana is a rare and endangered plant species. It grows up to 1 foot high (rarely higher than two feet). The leaves are evergreen, leathery, undivided and smooth-edged. They are spirally arranged. At the tips of the shoots are inflorescences of pale yellow blossoms.

The smaller species are used only as rock garden plants because the daphne blagayana is NOT a home remedy! The bark and fruits contain very toxic substances. The fruit is by no means edible as they cause heartburn, nausea and vomiting. The stems and bark contain a toxic chemicals  that when in contact with skin can cause blistering and severe skin allergies. Let the daphne blagayana grow where  nature intended. This plant is very rare and should be left undisturbed.

No comments: