Daphne aurantiaca var. aurantiaca Diels (1912) / var.calcicola (Smith) J.J. Halda (2001)

native to China, Sichuan, Yunnan / high ~ up to 1 m, often less / growing on calcareous rocks, rocky slopes

evergreen / scented / needs outside winter protection against wetness; is able to survive -20°C / -4°F

top soil often on the acid side, deeper alkaline - for cultivation the soil is less important - stony grit around the

neck of the plant to prevent from moisture is mandatory

plants together, set fruits, but mostly overseen, cause the small fruit, hidden within the dried calyx tube, is overtopped by the new shoot

Daphne aurantiaca var. aurantiaca is the taller one with upright growth.

Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola shows a more prostrate growth sometimes a little irregular.

First plants were introduced by George Forrest 1906.

Selection Gang Ho Ba shows very well the characteristic of the opposite leaves in this Daphne species.

Hybrids with Daphne aurantiaca are:

Daphne x deyli,

Daphne x kummertii,

Daphne x mcbeathii,

Daphne x pilati,

Daphne x seibertii

Above: Daphne aurantiaca var. aurantiaca, Bai-Shiu, Yunnan, China

Right above: Daphne aurantiaca var. aurantiaca with upright growth

Right: Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola on limestone in China

Right below, twice: Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola, Zhongdian, Yunnan, China

Below: Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola, Little Snow Mountain, Yunnan

Below: Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola, typus- Napa Hai

Above:

close-up of flowers, Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola, typus- Napa Hai

Right

Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola, typus- Napa Hai with irregular growth

Below:

view from above - Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola, typus- Gang Ho Ba

Below:

flowers close-up - Daphne aurantiaca var. calcicola, typus- Gang Ho Ba