Prunus caroliniana

Prunus caroliniana, known as the Carolina laurelcherry,[5] Carolina cherry laurel, Carolina cherry, or Cherry laurel, is a small evergreen flowering tree native to the lowlands of Southeastern United States, from North Carolina south to Florida and westward to central Texas.[6][7][8] The species also has escaped into the wild in a few places in California.[9]

Prunus caroliniana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Species:
P. caroliniana
Binomial name
Prunus caroliniana
Natural range of Prunus caroliniana
Synonyms[2][3]
  • Padus caroliniana Mill.
  • Bumelia serrata Pursh
  • Chimanthus amygdalina Raf.
  • Laurocerasus caroliniana (Mill.) M.Roem.
  • Lauro-cerasus caroliniana (Mill.) M.Roem.
  • Prunus carolina Du Roi[4]
  • Prunus lusitanica Walter
  • Prunus serratifolia Marsh.

Prunus caroliniana is not to be confused with its European relative, Prunus laurocerasus, which also is called Cherry Laurel, although mainly known as English Laurel in the U.S.

Description

Prunus caroliniana is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that grows to approximately 5–13 meters (16–43 feet) tall, with a spread of about 6–9 m (20–30 ft). The leaves are dark green, alternate, shiny, leathery, elliptic to oblanceolate, 5–12 centimeters (2–4+1⁄2 inches) long, usually with an entire (smooth) margin, but occasionally serrulate (having subtle serrations), and with cuneate bases. The leaves of reproductively mature trees have entire margins, whereas those of immature trees often have subtle serrations.[10] The twigs are red to grayish brown, slender, and glabrous.[11] When crushed, the leaves and green twigs emit a fragrance described as resembling maraschino cherries[12] or almond extract.

Fragrant white to cream-colored flowers are produced in racemes (stalked bunches) 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long in the late winter to early spring.[6] The fruits are tiny black cherries about 1 cm (1⁄2 in) in diameter, which persist through winter and are primarily consumed by birds (February–April).[10]

Ecology

The tree is a host plant for coral hairstreak, eastern tiger swallowtail, red-spotted purple, spring azures, summer azures, and viceroy butterflies where adult butterflies nectar from the spring flowers while the fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, raccoons, foxes, and small mammals.[13]

Cultivation

The species has long been an ornamental tree and landscape hedge shrub in gardens in many parts of the Atlantic states of the United States. The tree is considered hardy in USDA zones 7B through 10A. It is often used in areas where a tough broadleaved evergreen tree is needed of modest size. It prefers full sun and well-drained, acidic soil, often developing chlorosis if grown in overly alkaline soil. It is known to grow to elevations of 152 m (500 ft).[14]

Cultivars

Cultivated varieties include:

  • Prunus caroliniana 'Compacta' grows to about half the usual height and width of the species.
  • Prunus caroliniana 'Cherry Ruffles' has wavy/ruffled leaf margins.

Toxicity

The leaves and branches contain high amounts of cyanogenic glycosides that break down into hydrogen cyanide when damaged, making it a potential toxic hazard to grazing livestock and children.[6] Due to this, it is considered highly deer-resistant.[10]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; et al. (BGCI) (2020). "Prunus caroliniana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T64120952A156821631. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T64120952A156821631.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  3. Tropicos, Prunus caroliniana (Mill.) Aiton
  4. Roemer, Max J. (1846). Familiarum naturalium regni vegetabilis synopses monographicae: seu, Enumeratio omium plantarum hucusque detectarum secundum ordines naturales, genera et species digestarum, additis diagnosibus, synonymis / novarumque vel minus cognitarum descriptionibus curante. Vimariae : Landes-Industrie-Comptoir. p. 90.
  5. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Prunus caroliniana". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  6. "Prunus caroliniana". Floridata.
  7. "Prunus caroliniana". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  8. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  9. Calflora taxon report, University of California, Prunus caroliniana Ait. Carolina laurelcherry
  10. "Prunus caroliniana". Native Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
  11. Allen, Charles M.; Dawn Allen Newman; Harry H. Winters (2002). Trees, Shrubs, And Woody Vines Of Louisiana. Los Angeles: Allen's Nature Ventures. p. 192. ISBN 0-9718625-0-8.
  12. "Prunus caroliniana: Cherry-Laurel". University of Florida.
  13. "Native Plants Attractive to Wildlife". projects.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  14. Little, Elbert L.; Alfred A. Knopf (1986). The Audubon Society Field Guide To North American Trees (5th ed.). New York, NY. p. 497. ISBN 0-394-50760-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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