cerise laurel ( Prunus caroliniana ) is a member of the rosaceous syndicate . The works is humble - upkeep and becoming as democratic in North America as it is in Europe . The flora is an model of why gardeners need to get all the facts about a flora before they purchase . The plant is beautiful , but parts of it are extremely toxic to both humans and animals . It is the works ’s ego - defense organization . Cherry laurel should be planted away from children ’s play sphere , where it can be enjoyed in safety .

Features

The tree diagram is an evergreen plant that grows from 20 to 40 pes tall , with a body diameter of up to 10 inches and a crown spread head of up to 25 infantry . yellowed - green to dark - green , oval or oblong leaves appraise 2 to 4 inches long and about 1 inch broad . Fragrant , white efflorescence blossom in wooden-headed clusters in former winter and other spring and are followed by small , drab - black , eatable fruit .

Environment

The plant is found growing in moist environments from North Carolina in the south to Florida and then west into Louisiana and Texas . The works is brave in USDA zones 7 to 9 . Cherry laurel adapts to unlike types of soil and needs that territory to be moist but not wet when young . Too much water can kill the plant life . Once the plant is mature , it will withstand a time period of drouth . Plant in full Sunday if potential . If not , it can take partial shade .

Uses

The plant get as a shrub or small tree and is used as hedges , privacy screenland and as part of a wildlife garden . It is also used to make topiary . The yield is a food source for birds and modest mammals , and many species of songster will come for a meal . The flowers are a nectar source for bees and other insect .

Toxicity

The leafage and branches of the poisonous cherry Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel have large amounts of nitril , a fast - acting poison . Cyanide kills the body ’s cells by immobilise their access to atomic number 8 , affecting mostly the mentality and heart . speedy external respiration , restlessness , dizziness , impuissance , head ache , sickness and a rapid heart rate will appear within minutes . Exposure to expectant quantities will leave in convulsions , low-down blood pressure , ho-hum heart charge per unit , unconsciousness , wrong to the lungs and at long last respiratory failure and death . Patients who do survive nitrile intoxication may still endure from brain and heart damage .

Problems

The plant unfreeze many ejaculate , and they will all appear as Modern plant the next twelvemonth and necessitate to be removed . the great unwashed allergic to bee gyp need to be measured . The flowers will attract a multitude of the insects . Mited , borers and caterpillars damage the plant , and it is susceptible to leaf place , fireblight , stem canker and root rot .

References

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