| Prunus laurocerasus | |
|---|---|
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| Foliage and flowers | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Prunus |
| Species: | P. laurocerasus |
| Binomial name | |
| Prunus laurocerasus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
List
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Prunus laurocerasus, also known ascherry laurel,common laurel and sometimesEnglish laurel inNorth America, is an evergreen species of cherry (Prunus), native to regions bordering theBlack Sea in southwesternAsia and southeasternEurope, fromAlbania andBulgaria east throughTurkey to theCaucasus Mountains and northernIran.[2][3]
The common names ofP. laurocerasus refer to the similarity of foliage and appearance tobay laurel (Laurus nobilis, the true laurel, in the familyLauraceae), and like the bay laurel,Prunus laurocerasus was used for makinglaurel wreaths,[4] but the two plants are not closely related. It is not to be confused with its American relativePrunus caroliniana, which is also called cherry laurel.
Prunus laurocerasus is anevergreenshrub or small to medium-sizedtree, growing to 5 to 15 metres (16 to 49 ft) tall, rarely to 18 metres (59 ft), with a trunk up to 60 cm broad. Theleaves are dark green, leathery, shiny, (5–)10–25(–30) cm long and 4–10 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin. The leaves can have the scent of almonds when crushed. Theflower buds appear in early spring and open in early summer in erect 7–15 cmracemes of 30–40 flowers, each flower 1 cm across, with five creamy-white petals and numerous yellowish stamens with a sweet smell. Thefruit is a smallcherry 1–2 cm broad, turning black when ripe in early autumn.[5][6]
Prunus laurocerasus is a widely cultivatedornamental plant, used for planting ingardens and parks in temperate regions worldwide. It is often used forhedges, as a screening plant, and as a massedlandscape plant. Most cultivars are toughshrubs that can cope with difficult growing conditions, including shaded and dry conditions, and which respond well topruning.[citation needed]
Over 40cultivars have been selected, including[7]
The cultivar 'Otto Luyken' has gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.[10]
It has becomenaturalised widely. In some regions (such as the United Kingdom, theIsle of Man and the Pacific Northwest of North America), this species can be aninvasive plant.[11][12] Its rapid growth, coupled with its evergreen habit and its tolerance of drought and shade, often allow it to out-compete and kill offnative plant species. It is spread by birds, through the seeds in their droppings.[citation needed]
The species is found in woods and in shrubbery places as an escape inNorthern Ireland[13] and commonly planted in parks and gardens.[14]
The species that are mainly found in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea Region (mainlyTrabzon andGiresun) are categorized as endemic plants.[15][16]
The foliage is also used for cut greenery infloristry.
The fruits are astringent but edible.[17] They contain small amounts ofhydrogen cyanide; any fruit tasting bitter (which indicates larger concentrations of hydrogen cyanide) should not be eaten.[18] The seed inside the fruit (and the leaves) contain larger concentrations of hydrogen cyanide, and should never be eaten. The toxicity of the seed inside the fruit is similar to the cyanide toxicity of the seeds inside the common fruits apricot and peach.[19]
Leaves and seed may cause severe discomfort, and death, to humans if ingested.[20] Historically, it was used for execution and political assassination in the Roman empire (e.g. Nero).[21] The seeds contained within the cherries are poisonous like the rest of the plant, containingcyanogenic glycosides andamygdalin.[22] This chemical composition is what gives the smell of almonds when the leaves are crushed.Laurel water, adistillation made from the plant, containsprussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) and other compounds and is toxic.[citation needed]
Cherry laurel wood contains a lot of water. It tends to gum up blades while cutting. It tends to split and distort while drying.[citation needed]
The freshly cut wood is creamy white and smells ofalmonds, It turns to orange and brown when dried.[citation needed]
Sections that are large enough in diameter may be used toturn bowls.[citation needed]
Prunus lusitanica, Portuguese laurel, is similar in appearance, but may be distinguished by its sharply toothed leaves and red petioles.[23]
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