Prunus caroliniana

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Prunus caroliniana
Prunuscaroliniana.gif
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Species:
P. caroliniana
Binomial name
Prunus caroliniana
Prunus caroliniana range map 2.png
Natural range of Prunus caroliniana
Synonyms [2] [3]
  • Padus carolinianaMill.
  • Bumelia serrataPursh
  • Chimanthus amygdalinaRaf.
  • Laurocerasus caroliniana(Mill.) M.Roem.
  • Lauro-cerasus caroliniana(Mill.) M.Roem.
  • Prunus carolinaDu Roi [4]
  • Prunus lusitanicaWalter
  • Prunus serratifoliaMarsh.

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]

Contents

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+12 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 (12 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:[ citation needed ]

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]

Related Research Articles

<i>Prunus laurocerasus</i> Species of plant

Prunus laurocerasus, also known as cherry laurel, common laurel and sometimes English laurel in North America, is an evergreen species of cherry (Prunus), native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, from Albania and Bulgaria east through Turkey to the Caucasus Mountains and northern Iran.

<i>Prunus virginiana</i> Species of plant

Prunus virginiana, commonly called bitter-berry, chokecherry, Virginia bird cherry, and western chokecherry, is a species of bird cherry native to North America.

<i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> Species of tree

Carpinus caroliniana, the American hornbeam, is a small hardwood understory tree in the genus Carpinus. American hornbeam is also known as blue-beech, ironwood, musclewood and muscle beech. It is native to eastern North America, from Minnesota and southern Ontario east to Maine, and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida. It also grows in Canada. It occurs naturally in shaded areas with moist soil, particularly near the banks of streams or rivers, and is often a natural constituent understory species of the riverine and maritime forests of eastern temperate North America.

<i>Lindera benzoin</i> Species of shrub

Lindera benzoin is a shrub in the laurel family. It is native to eastern North America, ranging from Maine and New York to Ontario in the north, and to Kansas, Texas, and northern Florida in the center and south. Within its native range it is a relatively common plant where it grows in the understory in moist, rich woods, especially those with exposed limestone.

<i>Tsuga caroliniana</i> Species of conifer

Tsuga caroliniana, the Carolina hemlock, is a species of hemlock endemic to the United States. As of 2023, it is under review for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

<i>Prunus emarginata</i> Species of tree

Prunus emarginata, the bitter cherry or Oregon cherry, is a species of Prunus native to western North America, from British Columbia south to Baja California, and east as far as western Wyoming and New Mexico. It is often found in recently disturbed areas or open woods on nutrient-rich soil.

<i>Prunus ilicifolia</i> Species of tree

Prunus ilicifolia is native to the chaparral areas of coastal California, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. as well as the desert chaparral areas of the Mojave desert.

<i>Prunus subcordata</i> Species of tree

Prunus subcordata, known by the common names Klamath plum, Oregon plum, Pacific plum and Sierra plum, is a member of the genus Prunus, native to the western United States, especially California and Oregon.

<i>Amelanchier canadensis</i> Species of tree

Amelanchier canadensis is a species of Amelanchier native to eastern North America in Canada from Newfoundland west to southern Ontario, and in the United States from Maine south to Alabama. It is largely restricted to wet sites, particularly on the Atlantic coastal plain, growing at altitudes from sea level up to 200 m.

<i>Prunus americana</i> Species of tree

Prunus americana, commonly called the American plum, wild plum, or Marshall's large yellow sweet plum, is a species of Prunus native to North America from Saskatchewan and Idaho south to New Mexico and east to Québec, Maine and Florida.

<i>Prunus mahaleb</i> Species of cherry tree

Prunus mahaleb, the mahaleb cherry or St Lucie cherry, is a species of cherry tree. The tree is cultivated for a spice obtained from the seeds inside the cherry stones. The seeds have a fragrant smell and have a taste comparable to bitter almonds with cherry notes.

<i>Prunus fruticosa</i> Species of plant

Prunus fruticosa, the European dwarf cherry, dwarf cherry, Mongolian cherry or steppe cherry is a deciduous, xerophytic, winter-hardy, cherry-bearing shrub. It is also called ground cherry and European ground cherry, but is not to be confused with plants in the distinct "Groundcherry" genus of Physalis.

<i>Prunus sargentii</i> Species of tree

Prunus sargentii, commonly known as Sargent's cherry or North Japanese hill cherry, is a species of cherry native to Japan, Korea, and Sakhalin (Russia).

<i>Quercus minima</i> Species of shrub

Quercus minima, the dwarf live oak or minimal oak, is a North American species of shrubs in the beech family. It is native to the southeastern United States. It is placed in the southern live oaks section of the genus Quercus.

<i>Symplocos tinctoria</i> Species of plant

Symplocos tinctoria is a deciduous or evergreen shrub or tree. It is recognized by pith of twigs chambered; by foliage not notably aromatic when bruised, leaves finely hairy beneath. Shrubs or trees to 17 m tall by 36 cm diameter at breast height. The largest first-year twigs are under 3 mm across, terminal buds with acute tip, scales ciliate. Leaves are 7–15 cm long, margin entire or occasionally some teeth on the apical half, with a sweet taste that may be faint in old leaves. It is conspicuous when in flower; flowers opening before new leaves develop, fragrant, in clusters from axils of previous year's leaves or from just above the leaf scars if the leaves have fallen; the petals are creamy yellow to yellow, with one pistil. Fruits nearly cylindrical to ellipsoid drupes 8–12 mm long, with thin pulp and a hard stone containing 1 seed; the tip usually retaining parts of the sepals. Foliage is relished by browsing wildlife. A yellow dye may be obtained from bark and leaves. It flowers Mar to May.

<i>Prunus alleghaniensis</i> Species of tree

Prunus alleghaniensis, the Allegheny plum, is a species of New World plum, native to the Appalachian Mountains.

<i>Ilex cornuta</i> Species of holly

Ilex cornuta, commonly known as Chinese holly or horned holly, is a slow-growing, densely foliaged evergreen shrub in the Aquifoliaceae plant family. It is native to eastern China and Korea and attains a height of about 3 metres (9.8 ft). The leaves are usually 5-spined, between 3.5 cm and 10 cm long, oblong and entire. The fruits are red berries, which are larger than those of the European Holly.

<i>Prunus angustifolia</i> Species of tree

Prunus angustifolia, known commonly as Chickasaw plum, Cherokee plum, Florida sand plum, sandhill plum, or sand plum, is a North American species of plum-bearing tree. It was originally cultivated by Native Americans before the arrival of Europeans. The species' name angustifolia refers to its narrow leaves. It became the official state fruit of Kansas in 2022.

<i>Prunus minutiflora</i> Species of shrub

Prunus minutiflora, called the Texas almond, is a shrub native to Texas and northern Mexico.

<i>Cornus rugosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Cornus rugosa, commonly called roundleaf dogwood or round-leaved dogwood, is a deciduous tree native to northern parts of the eastern and central United States and southern parts of central and eastern Canada.

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. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 3 "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)