Prunus laurocerasus

Prunus laurocerasus L.

Prunus laurocerasus

Prunus laurocerasus, commonly known as cherry laurel or common laurel, is an evergreen species of cherry native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe. It is a shrub or small to medium-sized tree, growing up to 18 meters tall with a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm. The leaves are dark green, leathery, and shiny, with a finely serrated margin and a scent of almonds when crushed. The flowers are creamy-white with yellowish stamens and a sweet smell, appearing in erect racemes of 30-40 flowers. The fruit is a small black cherry.

Details

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae

Genus:

Prunus

Chemistry:

The plant contains small amounts of hydrogen cyanide, particularly in the seeds and leaves. The chemical composition includes cyanogenic glycosides and amygdalin, which give the plant its characteristic almond scent when leaves are crushed. Laurel water, a distillation made from the plant, contains prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) and other toxic compounds.

Uses:

The foliage is used for cut greenery in floristry. The fruits are edible but astringent and contain small amounts of hydrogen cyanide, making them potentially toxic if consumed in large quantities. Historically, the plant was used for execution and political assassination due to its toxicity.

Flowering time:

Early summer

Sowing time:

Plant height:

5 to 18 meters

Flower color:

Creamy-white

Suitable habitat:

Woods, shrubbery places, parks, and gardens. Native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe.

Info

Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.

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