# Carolina laurelcherry (*Prunus caroliniana*) The Carolina laurelcherry is a lovely shrub that can grow tall and has shiny green leaves. In spring, it blooms with small white flowers that smell sweet and attract butterflies and bees! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Carolina laurelcherry](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Carolina_Laurel_Cherry_%282880808534%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Homer Edward Price, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carolina_Laurel_Cherry_%282880808534%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Carolina laurelcherry is an evergreen small tree or large shrub with glossy, dark green leaves that are often pointed. It has clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by tiny, shiny black or dark red berries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Rosaceae - **Genus:** Prunus ## Interesting facts - Even though it's called a cherry, its tiny fruits are technically 'drupes,' like mini peaches! - Its shiny leaves reflect sunlight like little mirrors, making them sparkle in the sun! - Sniff its spring flowers – they release a surprisingly sweet, almond-like scent! - The wood from this tree was sometimes used to craft sturdy handles for tools or small items. ## Special abilities - **Year-Round Energy:** Carolina laurelcherry has evergreen leaves that allow it to make food from sunlight even in winter, helping it grow strong. - **Tough Survivor:** Carolina laurelcherry can withstand dry conditions and disturbed soils, helping it thrive where other plants struggle. - **Foul Defender:** Carolina laurelcherry produces toxic compounds in its leaves and seeds to protect itself from being eaten by many animals. - **Birdy Deliverer:** Carolina laurelcherry produces small fruits that birds love, spreading its seeds far and wide to grow new plants. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 450-1200 cm - **Spread:** 450-600 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late winter to early spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Consumes ripe fruits for energy. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Cattle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cattle) (*Bos taurus*) — Leaves are toxic if ingested by livestock. - **Shelter:** [Six-lined Racerunner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/six-lined-racerunner) (*Cnemidophorus sexlineatus*) — Hides in its dense foliage from predators. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low While the berries are fun to look at, it's best not to eat them without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Carolina laurelcherry? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Carolina laurelcherry? 450-1200 cm ### How wide does Carolina laurelcherry spread? 450-600 cm ### How big are the flowers on Carolina laurelcherry? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Carolina laurelcherry bloom? Late winter to early spring ### Is Carolina laurelcherry edible? No ### Is Carolina laurelcherry toxic? Moderate ### What is Carolina laurelcherry's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bullock County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bullock-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Southeast Gainesville Residential District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southeast-gainesville-residential-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [East Main Street Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-main-street-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Fairview Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairview-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Icehouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/icehouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [North Patterson Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-patterson-street-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Carolina laurelcherry](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/carolina-laurelcherry) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Carolina laurelcherry: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carolina-laurelcherry)