Prunus caroliniana
| Prunus caroliniana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 39' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Prunus caroliniana (common name: american cherry laurel)
Propagation: Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[1]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[3][1].
Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame[1].
Layering in spring.
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[3][1]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in light shade but fruits better in a sunny position[3][1]. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone[3][1]. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present[3]. Fairly wind-resistant[1].
One report says that this species is tender in most of Britain[3], whilst another says that it succeeds in climatic zone 7 (tolerating frosts down to about -15°c)[1].
A fast-growing but short-lived tree[4].
Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged[5].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: South-eastern N. America - North Carolina to Florida, west to Texas.
Habitat: Deep, well-drained rich moist bottomlands, bluffs or streambanks[6][4].
Edibility: The fruit might be edible[7]. It has a thick skin and a thin dry flesh[6] and is not edible[8]. It is slightly toxic to humans[4]. The fruit is about 13mm in diameter and contains one large seed[1].
Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[5].
Usage: Amenable to trimming, this plant can be grown as a screen and hedge[6][8]. It can also be used in shelterbelt plantings[1].
A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[9].
A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[9].
Wood - hard, heavy, strong, close grained[6]. The trees are seldom large enough for the wood to be exploited commercially[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The leaves and young branches of this species contain considerable quantities of hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity
Also Known As: Laurocerasus caroliniana. (Mill.)Roem.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Vines, Robert. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, 1982.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.