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Cherry Laurel

Prunus caroliniana

Other common name(s):

Carolina Cherry-laurel, Cherry-laurel, Laurel Cherry, Carolina Cherry Laurel

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

12
to
15
ft.

Spread

10
to
15
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Forage, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Maintenance

Prolonged saturation can cause root rot, particularly in clay soils. Shallow, rocky soils can cause chlorosis and heat stress. Propagation: Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms February-April. Yellowish flowers, not showy. Bright red fruits turn black in the fall. The greatest use of Carolina Cherry-laurel is for providing a nearly carefree, dark green visual screen. Larval Host: Red Admiral, Tiger Swallowtail.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Laurocerasus caroliniana

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48, 53 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 297. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRCA. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=21594&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=24771#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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