Portuguese Laurel

(Prunus lusitanica)

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

SABENCIA Guillermo César Ruiz

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: SABENCIA Guillermo César Ruiz

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: SABENCIA Guillermo César Ruiz | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: SABENCIA Guillermo César Ruiz | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Prunus_lusitanica._Lloral.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{en|1=Location taken: United States Botanic Garden, Washington D.C.. Names: Rhus glabra 'Laciniata' L., Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac, Smooth Suma Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Spermatopsida

Native Range

Native / Invasive

Climate Requirements

• Precipitation	19" - 47"
• High Temp.	67°F - 87°F
• Low Temp.	33°F - 42°F

Enter location for climate suitability and irrigation needs

Summary

Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as Portuguese Laurel or Portuguese Cherry Laurel, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including mixed forests, maquis, and along streams. Typically, it reaches a height of 3-8 meters in the wild but can grow up to 15-20 meters in cultivation with a dense, rounded form. The bark is smooth and dark grey, providing a striking contrast to the glossy, dark green leaves. The small, fragrant white flowers bloom in erect or spreading racemes 15–25 cm long in late spring, followed by cherry-like drupe fruits that turn from green to dark purple or black when ripe in late summer or early autumn.

Portuguese Laurel is valued for its dense foliage and is often used for hedging and screening in gardens and parks. It is also appreciated for its low maintenance requirements and tolerance of pruning, which makes it suitable for formal garden designs. This plant prefers full sun to part shade, thriving in well-drained soils. It is adaptable to different soil types, including clay, loam, and sand, provided they have adequate drainage. While it is generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to pests such as aphids and borers. Gardeners should be cautious about its potential invasiveness outside its native range, as it can spread aggressively in favorable conditions. It is recognized as invasive in western Washington and Oregon, where birds spread its seeds into natural areas.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 6-18 feet
Width: 6-9 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Mediterranean mixed forests and maquis

Other Names

Common Names: Portugal Laurel, Portuguese Laurel, Portuguese Laurel Cherry, Portuguese-Laurel, Portugiesische Lorbeerkirsche, Loro, Laurier Du Portugal, Prunier Du Portugal, Portugisisk Lagerhägg

Scientific Names: Prunus lusitanica, Prunus lusitanica f. myrtifolia, Cerasus lusitanica, Lauro-cerasus lusitanica, Padus lusitanica, Laurocerasus lusitanica, Padus eglandulosa, Prunus lusitanica var. serratifolia

GBIF Accepted Name: Prunus lusitanica L.