RUSCUS racemosus (DANAE racemosa)

Small evergreen perennial shrub, native to the Mediterranean basin; it can reach 60 cm height maximum and a very variable width depending on the development and growth of the plant. From the underground rhizome, creeping and branched, erect, rigid, thin and simple stems develop, of a shiny dark green color and herbaceous consistency. From these aerial or primary stems, secondary stems called "cladodes" detach which are of the same color, have a leathery consistency and an elliptical or oblong-lanceolate shape: these "cladodes", which we normally confuse with the leaves, perform the chlorophyll function and instead of the real leaves which in this plant are reduced to very thin lanceolate scales, inserted on the lower page of the secondary stems. in spring, in the central part of the upper page of the cladodes, tiny yellow-greenish starry flowers appear which, being this dioecious species, can be male or female, depending on the specimen in question. On female plants, in the following winter, the fruits ripen and appear as bright red globose berries.

It is an easy to grow plant that prefers semi-shady positions but also adapts to more intense shade. It adapts to any type of soil, preferring fertile, humus-rich and well-drained ones. It tolerates drought but benefits from some watering during the hottest summer periods. It also tolerates frost but if it is intense and prolonged it could damage the whole upper part of the plant; then with the first spring warmth it will grow back from the base. in spring, before the vegetative restart, it is possible to slightly prune the plant by removing the dry, damaged and old upper branches and uprooting the others to favor the emission of new basal shoots and give a more compact and thick shape to the plant. It can be grown in pot or container as long as it is of the right size; due to its widespread root system in the ground, it can be used as a unique specimen at the base of trees, near other shrubs or other Mediterranean essences. It can also be used to create unusual borders with the expedient of mixing male and female specimens to also enjoy its rich, colorful and pleasant fruiting.