Carolina laurel cherry is a handsome, small to medium sized evergreen tree which grows to about 15-36 ft tall, with a spread of about 19-29 ft. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[200]. Water distilled from the leaves is used as an almond flavouring[2, 46, 61, 183]. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). Some forms of this plant, notably 'Cherry Brandy', 'Otto Luyken', 'Zabelina' and 'Schipkaensis' are low-growing and make very good ground cover plants for sun or shade[182, 197]. I tell you that your web site is very good and contains useful knowledge. The plant is an example of why gardeners need to get all the facts about a plant before they purchase. The lovely blossom Cherry Laurel. Carolina cherry laurel is a handsome, evergreen, ornamental shrub that's useful for hedging and screening. This toxin is found mainly in the Small white flowers in erect racemes to 12cm in length are followed by cherry-like … The plant is low-maintenance and becoming as popular in North America as it is in Europe. Will soil contamination occur in the later stages of decomposition as with rhododendron A very high proportion of plants in the rose family also contain cyanogenic glycosides. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone[11]. Seed - raw or cooked. Layering in spring. * Updates on new information & functionality of the website & database the slightest ill effects (this also includes a 2 year old child) and so any toxicity is of a very low order[K]. Prunus laurocerasus is in the rose family of plants. Please do not hesitate to get back in touch with me if you have further questions. Certainly 'Schipkaensis' is *not* a groundcover plant. The plant is low-maintenance and becoming as popular in North America as it is in Europe. Cherry Laurel The cherry laurel tree drops some magic on the plants below. http://www.rsnz.govt.nz/publish/nzjchs/2002/037.php Cherry Laurel. All parts of the plant contain hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. Please donate to support our ‘Plants to Save the Planet’ Project. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.". a problem by poisoning the soil as the chips decompose. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also Please do not hesitate to get back in touch with me if you have further information or question and comment. Exposure to large quantities will result in convulsions, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, unconsciousness, damage to the lungs and finally respiratory failure and death. These glycosides are not all bad, however. They are of value in the treatment of coughs, whooping cough, asthma, dyspepsia and indigestion[4, 238]. Subject to bacterial canker which can kill large branches[124]. The fruit is eaten by local foxes, whose droppings in September are full of the undigested seeds. Protect the seed from mice etc. Even the sweet almonds are not totally safe to eat - it has been ", The entry for edibility reads as follows -, "Fruit - raw or cooked. sources suggest the fruit is poisonous, this probably refers to the unripe fruit[7]. Distilling material from the leaves may concentrate the levels of cyanide to a toxic level. These currently Felling/removing this species and processing it on site in a A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[168]. The plant is found growing in moist environments from North Carolina south to Florida and then west into Louisiana and Texas. Smartphone users quickly have information on a plant directly for the pfaf.org website on their phone. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water. QR Codes are barcodes that can be read by mobile phone (smartphone) cameras. Botanical name: Prunus laurocerasus; Other name(s): Common or English Laurel; Family: Rosaceae; Edible: yes, but only the fruit flesh. Padus laurocerasus. We are adding search terms and icons to those plants pages, and providing a range of search options aligned to categories of plants and crop yields, with Help facilities including videos. The original species was Laurocerausus officinalis, classified by Johann Roemer, 1763-1819 of Switzerland. This QR Code is unique to this page. Tel: +90 452 2300556 Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! wood. * Exclusive content not on the website