Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Prunus laurocerasus L., Sp. Pl. 474 (1753) – as LauroCerasus
Vernacular Name(s):
cherry laurel
 Description

Evergreen, wide spreading shrub or tree, up to c. 10 m high when mature, not armed, glabrous or almost so; trunks often several, usually short, often forming large thickets. Lf petiole 5–10–(12) mm long; blade coriaceous, oblanceolate to narrow-elliptic or narrow-oblong, (75)–90–150–(180) × (23)–30–50–(55) mm, acute to very short-acuminate but often splitting at tip and appearing emarginate, especially when dried, cuneate to rounded at base, shining above with prominent paler veins, less shining below; margin somewhat recurved, ± entire toward base, with distant, short, acute teeth toward apex; stipules long-triangular, deciduous. Infl. an axillary or terminal, erect, dense raceme (80)–100–(120) mm long, with 20–30–(35) fragrant fls; pedicels 2–2.5–(5) mm long, elongating slightly after anthesis. Hypanthium broad; sepals broadly triangular, c. 1 mm long, acute, green, ± erect. Petals 5, spreading, orbicular, 2.5–5 × 2–4 mm, rounded, greenish white to cream. Stamens > petals; filaments pale. Fr. c. 10 mm long, ovoid, glabrous, dark purple, very bitter; stone smooth.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Aug.–Sep.; Fruiting: Nov.–Jan.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Connor, H.E.; Fountain, J. 2009: Plants that Poison: A New Zealand Guide. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Edwards, R. 2008: Lincoln University campus – a guide to some of the trees currently growing there. Lincoln University, Lincoln.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Stewart, J. 1971: Plants in New Zealand Poisonous to Man. New Zealand Department of Health, Wellington.