Prunus caroliniana

Description

Prunus caroliniana is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that grows to approximately 5 – tall, with a spread of about 6 –. The leaves are dark green, alternate, shiny, leathery, elliptic to oblanceolate, 5 – 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 – long in the late winter to early spring. The fruits are tiny black cherries about 1 cm in diameter, which persist through winter and are primarily consumed by birds (February–April).

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.

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.

Cultivars

Cultivated varieties include:

• Prunus caroliniana 'Compacta' grows to about half the usual height and width of the species.
• Prunus caroliniana 'Cherry Ruffles' has wavy/ruffled leaf margins.

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. Due to this, it is considered highly deer-resistant.

References

References

1. IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.. (2020). "''Prunus caroliniana''".
2. 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.
3. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
4. [http://www.tropicos.org/Name/27801089 Tropicos, ''Prunus caroliniana'' (Mill.) Aiton ]
5. {{PLANTS
6. "Prunus caroliniana". Floridata.
7. {{GRIN
8. [http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Prunus%20caroliniana.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map]
9. [http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=9205 Calflora taxon report, University of California, ''Prunus caroliniana'' Ait. Carolina laurelcherry ]
10. "Prunus caroliniana". [[Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center]].
11. Allen, Charles M.. (2002). "Trees, Shrubs, And Woody Vines Of Louisiana". Allen's Nature Ventures.
12. "Prunus caroliniana: Cherry-Laurel". [[University of Florida]].
13. "Native Plants Attractive to Wildlife".
14. Little, Elbert L.. (1986). "The Audubon Society Field Guide To North American Trees".