Other Names:  Platter-Leaf, Laurel Leaf Cocculus, Snailseed

Description:

A dense, large evergreen shrub or small tree with spreading, arching branches, and leathery, dark green pointed leaves; flowers are insignificant; an excellent screen plant that can readily be sheared; black berries appear on female plants only

Ornamental Features

Laurel-leaved Snail Tree is primarily valued in the landscape for its cascading habit of growth. It has attractive green evergreen foliage. The glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental and remain green throughout the winter. It produces black berries from early summer to late fall. The smooth brown bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Laurel-leaved Snail Tree is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely form and gracefully arching branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting birds and squirrels to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Laurel-leaved Snail Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• Windbreaks and Shelterbelts
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Laurel-leaved Snail Tree will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more. This is a dioecious species, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. Only the females will produce fruit, and a male variety of the same species is required nearby as a pollinator.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant will benefit from an application of bonemeal and/or mycorrhizal fertilizer at the time of planting. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.