The native status of this species has been in doubt for over a century and it is now considered native, as it also naturally occurs in Scandinavian countries. Evidence favours it being autochthonous in woods on calcareous soils, and then removed into gardens – not vice versa. Sites in Somerset were at the south-west edge of its native range. It is one of two species of Daphne native to Great Britain, with Daphne laureola L. Both have a strong preference for alkaline soils and are most commonly found in limestone areas, although D. laureola is also found on clay. However, unlike D. laureola, D. mezereum is deciduous, with reddish-pink flowers borne very early in the spring and bright red berries, which are poisonous to humans but not to birds, present from late summer. All parts of the plant is poisonous. The sap is known to cause skin rashes on contact.
This species occurs naturally throughout the chalk downland of Wiltshire & the Bristol area. It historically occurs in Somerset.
Daphne mezereum is not on the Forestry Commission’s native list (I’d guess because it’s not a Scottish native, and their list is a Scottish list only) so it can’t be certified!
