Prunus lusitanica

Prunus lusitanica
Foliage and immature fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Cerasus or Laurocerasus[1]
Section: Laurocerasus
Species: P. lusitanica
Binomial name
Prunus lusitanica
L.

Prunus lusitanica, with common name Portugal laurel, is a species of cherry, native to southwestern France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Macaronesia (the Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira).[2][3]

Contents

Distribution

Prunus lusitanica is rare in the wild, found mainly along mountain streams, preferring sunshine and moist but well-drained soils. It is moderately drought-tolerant. It reproduces either sexually (the most successful method) or asexually by cloning from shoots.[4]

The species was first scientifically described by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753. Its specific epithet lusitanica means of Lusitania, the Roman name for Portugal.

Description

Prunus lusitanica is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 3–15 metres (9.8–49 ft) tall. The bark is blackish-brown, The leaves are alternate, oval, 7–12 cm long and 3–5 cm broad, with an acute apex and a dentate margin, glossy dark green above, lighter below. They superficially resemble those of the Bay laurel, which accounts for its often being mistaken for one.

The flowers are small (10–15 mm diameter) with five small white petals; they are produced on erect or spreading racemes 15–25 cm long in late spring. The fruit is a small cherry-like drupe 8–13 mm in diameter, green or reddish green at first, turning dark purple or black when ripe in late summer or early autumn.[5]

Subspecies

Three subspecies are accepted:[2]

Cultivation

Prunus lusitanica is grown as an ornamental shrub and is widely planted as a hedge and for screening in gardens and parks. It is introduced and locally naturalised in the temperate zone in northern France, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, and the western United States in California, Oregon and Washington.

Toxicity

The leaves of Prunus lusitanica contain cyanide and will release this into the environment if burnt[7] or if crushed.[8]

The fruit is very bitter and inedible (doubtfully edible if fully ripe), and may be toxic.[9]

References

  1. ^ Rehder, A. 1940, reprinted 1977. Manual of cultivated trees and shrubs hardy in North America exclusive of the subtropical and warmer temperate regions. Macmillan publishing Co., Inc, New York.
  2. ^ a b Euro+Med Plantbase Project: Prunus lusitanica
  3. ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Prunus lusitanica
  4. ^ Alarcon, J. A. C. (2001). Geobotany and Conservation Biology Study on Prunus lusitanica L. Iberian populations. Departamento de Biologia. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. Available online (pdf file).
  5. ^ Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
  6. ^ Note: common names for Prunus lusitanica azorica include Ginja, Gingeira-brava and Ginjeira-do-Mato. "Prunus lusitanica azorica". University of the Azores. January 15, 2009 . http://www.horta.uac.pt/species/plantae/Prunus_lusitanica_azorica/Prunus_lusitanica_azorica.htm. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
  7. ^ "Paghat's Garden: Prunus lusitanica". January 18, 2005. http://www.paghat.com/portuguallaurel.html. Retrieved June 14, 2009. ,
  8. ^ "EiC July 2008 - Feature - Exhibition chemistry: Toxic Hydrogen Cyanide". July 2008. http://www.rsc.org/Education/EiC/issues/2008July/ExhibitionChemistry.asp. Retrieved June 14, 2009. 
  9. ^ Plants for a Future: Prunus lusitanica