Native Species

Common Name It is commonly referred to as Cherry Laurel, and also Carolina laurelcherry, Carolina cherry, Cherry laurel

Scientific Name Scientific name: Species: Prunus caroliniana

Plant Context This Woody: Shrub/Tree has no specified origin and is found in PD

Prunus caroliniana 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. The species also has escaped into the wild in a few places in California. 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.

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How To Identify

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. The twigs are red to grayish brown, slender, and glabrous. When crushed, the leaves and green twigs emit a fragrance described as resembling maraschino cherries 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).

Overview

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How to Identify

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