A genus of evergreen or deciduous shrubs known for their fragrant flowers, or in Greek mythology, a nymph transformed into a laurel tree.
From Greek 'daphne' meaning 'laurel tree.' In mythology, Daphne was a river nymph who was transformed into a laurel to escape Apollo's pursuit. The plant genus was named by Linnaeus in reference to this mythological connection.
The tragic beauty of the mythological Daphne - forever fleeing, forever transformed - lives on in gardens worldwide through these aromatic shrubs. It's poetic that plants bearing her name are prized for their intoxicating fragrance, echoing Apollo's irresistible attraction to the original nymph.
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