![](\"http:\/\/www.technogypsie.com\/photogallery\/2010\/june\/062810\/JPEG\/062810-017.jpg\")
<\/a>\nCherry Laurel
\nThe Poison Garden, Blarney Castle, Ireland<\/div>\n
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Cherry Laurel: <\/strong>Prunus laurocerasus [ Plantae: Magnoliophyta: Magnoliopsida: Rosales: Rosaceae: Prunus: Prunus laurocerasus ] <\/em> Localities:<\/em><\/strong> Species:<\/em><\/strong> Description:<\/em><\/strong> Cultivation:<\/strong><\/em> Common Uses:<\/em><\/strong> Culinary Uses:<\/em><\/strong> Medicinal Uses:<\/em><\/strong> Magical Uses:<\/em><\/strong> Folklore and History:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 Cherry Laurel The Poison Garden, Blarney Castle, Ireland \u00a0 Cherry Laurel: Prunus laurocerasus [ Plantae: Magnoliophyta: Magnoliopsida: Rosales: Rosaceae: Prunus: Prunus laurocerasus ] Common Names: Cherry Laurel, English Laurel Localities: Native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern … Continue reading
\nCommon Names:<\/em> <\/strong>
\nCherry Laurel, English Laurel<\/p>\n
\nNative to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, from Albania to Bulgaria east through Turkey and Iran. It is a invasive species in the United Kingdom and Pacific Northwest of the United States.<\/p>\n
\nThere are over 40 cultivars; Numerous varieties of Cherry Laural, Magnofolia is the large leaf’ed one, Otto Luyken is compact with abundant flowers, Schipkaensis is the hardiest wid spreading smaller leaved plant; Zabeliana has narrow willow type leaves.<\/p>\n
\nA low, compact spreading evergreen shrub or upright small tree, with a maximum height of 20-25 feet and 18 feet width with 2-6 in long \/ 1\/2 to 1 inch wide narrowly oblong smooth edged dark green above and paler green below leaves. The shiny leathery leaves flower into fragrant white 1\/4 inch long flowers in narrow cylindrical clusters 2-5 inches long in late spring and summer. The flowers blossom into 1\/2 inch long oval green drooping fruits that are believed to be mildly poisonous. It has a rapid growth patern coupled with being a evergreen, tolerant of drought and shade, thereby out competing and killing off native plant species making it an invasive species in some parts of the world.<\/p>\n
\nCan handle difficult growing conditions including shaded and dry soils.<\/p>\n
\nCommon as a garden ornamental and a favorite in North American yards. Common in landscaping. Leaves repel weevils, fleas, and lice.<\/p>\n
\nCherries are edible, but the rest of the plant can be poisonous. Leaves are used like bay leaves (laurel family) as a culinary spice albeit the leaves has toxins.<\/p>\n
\nMost parts of the plant are poisonous including the seeds as they contain cyanogenic glycosides and amygdalin.<\/p>\n
\nThe leaves can be used to ward off evil spirits.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nCherry Laurel
\nThe Poison Garden, Blarney Castle, Ireland<\/div>\n