The graceful foliage of Danae racemosa, with berries ripening.

Ruscus (Danae) racemosa, from Traité des arbrisseaux et des arbustes cultivés, self-published by M. Jaume Saint-Hilaire, in Paris, 1825.

Lauro alessandrino (Danae racemosa), from I Discorsi di M. Pietro Andrea Mattioli, Venetia, Felice Valgrisio, 1597

	'mouse-over' for meanings

Danae racemosa   (L.) Moench 1794

Ruscaceae (also placed in Asparagaceae and Liliaceae)

Alexandrian laurel, poet's laurel • Française: laurier d'Alexandrie, lauréole, fragron à grappes • Italiano: ruscus, rusco, lauro alessandrino • Português: ruscus italiano • Ελληνική (Greek): ρουσκοσ, μυρσινη

native to Greece, Turkey, Syria, Azerbaijan, Iraq & Iran

Synonymy: Ruscus racemosa (invalid name); Ruscus racemosus L. (basionym) 1753

The genus name come from Greek myth - Danae was the daughter of Acrisius; she gave birth to Perseus in response to a unique insemmination technique by the ever clever Zeus. That this plant is related to Asparagus is obvious to anyone who has grown it. While mature specimens may resemble a shrub, in fact the basal growing stems are not woody at all and last only 2-3 years, after which they are best cut off at the ground. New stems arise from this same base (looking remakably like some giant asparagus) once a year, usually during winter in mediterranean climates.

As these tender shoots expand, what looks to be leaves appear - these are actually modified stems, botanically termed cladodes or phylloclades (true leaves are scale-like and inconspicuous and persist at the base of the cladodes). The cladodes are 1-3 inches (3-8 cm) in length, basally ovate, tapering to a slender tip, softer to the touch than its other cousin, Ruscus. Thick-textured and evergreen, they have a lush look and are bright green.

An ancient Greek coin depicting the god Appolo, with a (laurel wreath).

It has been argued that this is the 'laurel' used in Greek and Roman times to crown exemplary athletes, orators and poets. I find this very probable - the flexible stems of this plant seem ready made for fashioning comfortable and attractive head-wreaths. But it is vexing (if not surprizing) that the Italian common name, lauro alessandrino, is also routinely applied to a variety of other, similar-looking plants, almost anything with green leaves and red berries. But Dioscorides, the ancient herbalist, seemed to have called this plant χαμαιδάφνη (khamaidáphnē), while reserving δάφνη Ἀλεξάνδρεια (dáphnē Alexándreia) for the related and similar Ruscus hypoglossum.

The creamy-yellow flowers, often referred to as inconspicuous or 'unimportant', are indeed small, and borne in racemes at the secondary tips of the expanding branches. This author finds them charming and fascinating in their structure. These are followed in summer-fall by round, marble-sized, bright orange-red berries which persist into the following winter. A favorite of florists, the branches are often found as arrangement foliage fillers.

That the plant is maintenance-free and tough, especially useful for dry shade, makes it popular among those who have had the good fortune to become acquainted with this rare gem. It is also very adaptable to container culture, and it graceful form is attractive slipping over the edges of a large urn.

Rarely seen commercially due to it slow propagation (seed) and growth (several years to a gallon-sized specimen). This slow growth makes it a good choice for small gardens with limited space. A very mature and well grown specimen could eveuntually reach 4-5ft tall (1.2-1.5m) and up to 6ft wide (1.8m), though typically it would be half that size. Regardless of it's delicate, even tropical looks, Danae is reliably hardy in mediterranean climates and slightly colder regions as well.

Danae prefers a well-drained soil and likes to dry out between irrigation. Perhaps tolerant of summer drought, it retains its foliage best if provided with an occasional deep, thorough watering in dry months.

Seán A. O'Hara