Japanese laurel (Aucuba japonica), commonly called spotted laurel, Japanese aucuba, is a shrub (1–5 m). This is the species of Aucuba commonly seen in gardens, often invariegated form. The leaves are opposite, 5–8 cm long and 2–5 cm wide. Aucuba japonica are dioecious, they have separate male and female plants. The flowers are small, 4–8 mm diameter, with four purplish-brown petals, the fruit is a red berry approximately 1 cm in diameter, which is avoided by birds. This plant is valued for its ability to thrive in the most difficult of garden environments, dry shade. It also copes with pollution and salt-laden coastal winds. It is often seen as an informal hedge, but may also be grown indoors as a houseplant. Today numerous cultivars are available from garden centres. The most popular cultivar is 'Variegata' (in offer), with yellow spots on the leaves.