Daphne mezereum aka Mezereon

Daphne mezereum, also known as mezereum, mezereon, February daphne, spurge laurel, or spurge olive, is a deciduous shrub native to most of Europe and Western Asia. It belongs to the flowering plant family Thymelaeaceae and is typically found in forests, forest margins, and shrubby areas. Growing up to 1.5m tall, this shrub has a rounded shape and dark green, oblanceolate leaves that grow up to 9cm long. The fragrant flowers, ranging from purplish-pink to purplish-red, appear before the leaves in early spring and are clustered closely in twos and threes. Following the flowers, small round red berries emerge, maturing in June. However, it is important to note that all parts of the plant, including the fruits, sap, and bark, are poisonous to humans if ingested, and the sap can cause skin irritations. Despite its toxic properties, Daphne mezereum has naturalized in parts of Canada and the United States after being introduced during colonial times.