Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'

Skimmia japonica Thunb. Rutaceae. Cultivar 'Rubella'. Distribution: China, Japan and E. Asia. The genus name is derived from the Japanese word shikimi (Stearn, 1994). All parts of the plant are poisonous, containing skimmianin. It is said to cause vomiting, and if eaten in large quantities, cardiac arrest. (Duke, 1985). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.