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| Daphne
blagayana was discovered in 1837 on Polhograjska
Gora near Polhov Gradec in Slovenia. The flower
was named after Slovenian botanist Count Rihard
Ursini Blagay, who lived in Polhov Gradec. |
| This
species of daphne was first described by Henrik
Freyer, and its habitat was visited by Frederick
Augustus II, King of Saxony. Because of his visit
the flower is also known as the royal flower. |
| Thriving
on limestone and dolomite, it is most frequently
seen in alpine and subalpine regions. Daphne
blagayana habitats are found as high as 1,900
metres above sea level. |
| In
Portglenone, where it was photographed in early
March in June's garden, it is growing as a compact
plant - often it tends to be straggly in habit -
and is not demanding. |
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| The
genus Daphne is named after the nymph Daphne
("laurel" in Greek, who in Greek myth
was chased by the god Apollo. Daphne prayed for
help to Gaia and was transformed into a laurel :
"a heavy numb
ness seized her limbs, thin bark closed over her
breast, her hair turned into leaves, her arms into
branches, her feet so swift a moment ago stuck
fast in slow-growing roots, her face was lost in
the canopy. Only her shining beauty was
left." (Ovid)
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