268 



AUCUBA 



Aucuha japonica, Thunb. Garden Laurel (Fig. 95). 

 Evergreen shrub with large green leathery polished leaves, 

 often variegated. Popularly termed Laurel, but has no re- 

 tionship with the true Laurus. Floral formula of the 

 (/ flower Ku) G^ A^ with a fleshy disc ; of the $ flower 

 ir(4)C4 Gl with 1 ovule. 



Fig. 95. Aucuba japonica. A, shoot bearing male flowers ; B, a male 

 flower magnified; C, an inflorescence of female flowers; D, a female 

 flower magnified; E, ovary, and F, fruit in longitudinal section, p. 268 

 (EandP). 



The flowers are in branched dichasial cymes, terminal 

 and axillary, and claret-purple or greenish. Visited by 

 pollen-eating flies. The </ flower has a calyx of 4 minute 

 teeth, a corolla of 4 petals arranged cross-wise at the margin 

 of a disc, ovate to lanceolate, valvate in bud ; stamens 4, 

 inserted alternately with the petals, with subulate fila- 

 ments and separate anther-lobes. No rudiment of ovary. 



