Prunus caroliniana (Mill.) Aiton

Carolina Laurel Cherry

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Carolina Laurel Cherry is a native small tree in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama, but is most common in the lower third of the state. Carolina Laurel Cherry grows on dunes, in maritime forests, in ravines in the sand hills, and around old home sites. This species was most likely native to areas near the coast and in the sand hills, but has been spread inland by human cultivation and by birds which feed on its fruit. Carolina Laurel Cherry is a smooth barked small tree reaching a height of usually less than twenty-five feet. It has alternate evergreen leaves that are entire or rarely with a few small teeth. Teeth are more commonly found on young plants and vigorously growing limbs. In the spring small white flowers with five petals are produced in racemes. The fruit is a drupe (a fleshy fruit with a seed enclosed in a hard endocarp – the “stone” or “pit”). The fruit is about one half inches long and shiny black. Fruit persist on the tree throughout the winter and are eagerly sought by song birds. Carolina Laurel Cherry was once placed in the genus Laurocerasus, due to its evergreen nature and resemblance to Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis Linnaeus). It is similar to the European Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus Linnaeus), a native of southeastern Europe that is sometimes cultivated in the United States. The leaves of Carolina Cherry Laurel contain high amounts of hydrogen cyanide, and are poisonous if consumed. Carolina Laurel Cherry is an attractive small tree that can be pruned into a hedge. In thrives in most soil types, is drought tolerant, and resistant to insect and deer damage. Plants are available from nurseries or can be grown from seed. It tends to be “weedy” and produced large amounts of fruit. It also re-sprouts vigorously if cut down.--Alvin Diamond

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Native

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