Aucuba japonica ’Variegata’

English name: Japanese laurel 'variegata'

Latin name: Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’

Family: Garryaceae

Origin: China, Japan

This species is a shrub that grows up to 5m. in height. It grows naturally on fertile soil and is found in moist lowlands and near streams. The variegated variety is popular because of its interesting, yellow-spotted leaves, and used as a potted and terrace plant. The lance-shaped leaves, arranged opposite to each other on the shoot, grow from 7 to 25 cm. long and 4 – 10 cm. wide. The aucuba is dioecious: there are distinct female and male specimens. The flowers are small, 4 to 8 mm. in diameter, with brownish flakes. They appear in loose clusters of about 10 to 30 pieces, in March and April. The fruit is a berry, about 1 cm. in diameter.