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Rosaceae
Prunus

Prunus caroliniana (P. Miller) Aiton. Common name: Carolina Laurel Cherry. Phenology: Feb-Apr; May-Nov. Habitat: Maritime forests and sandy hammocks in the Coastal Plain, escaped from cultivation to fencerows and suburban forests and thickets in more inland areas. Distribution: Se. NC south to sc. Peninsular FL, west to AR and TX; mainly inland occurrences, especially off the Coastal Plain, are the result of naturalization from horticultural use.

Glossary (beta!)

Subgenus: Laurocerasus.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Fl3, FNA9, K4, NcTx, RAB, Tn, Tx, WH3, Robertson (1974); = Laurocerasus caroliniana (Mill.) M.Roem. — S, S13; = n/a — C; Padus caroliniana P. Miller. Basionym: Padus caroliniana Mill. 1768

Links to other floras: = Prunus caroliniana - FNA9

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
  • Great Plains: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 5

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image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
image of plantno rights reserved, uploaded by Alan Weakley source CC0 | Original Image ⭷
image of plantno rights reserved, uploaded by Alan Weakley source CC0 | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© cpgibson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by cpgibson source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alvin Diamond, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alvin Diamond source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Jay Horn source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

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Height: 20-30 ft.

plant sale text: Carolina Cherry Laurel is a fast-growing and is the only evergreen among our natives within the genus Prunus. The native range includes the coastal plain of Virginia south to northern Florida. Generally considered a small tree with an upright-oval shape, it also can be pruned and maintained as a large shrub. Tiny white flowers are borne profusely in April. This species provides excellent screening, particularly when planted in full sun. Small black fruits mature in October and are avidly sought out by many birds.

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native range: southeastern United States



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