| Aucuba, an evergreen shrub native to Japan and China, is common in cultivation, but a rare escape into suburban woodlands. The plant photographed here at Battle Park in Chapel Hill is so far the only escape I've seen (and not a particularly attractive specimen!). The large evergreen leaves give it the alternate common name Japanese-laurel, though it has no relation to true laurel. In most cultivar the leaves are flecked with yellow spots, leading to another common name, Spotted-laurel. Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
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| Aucuba has recently been moved to the Garryaceae from the Cornaceae (dogwood family). Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
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| The flowers are tiny and brownish — not ornamental. Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
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| The bark is green, becoming striped with age. Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.
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