Portugal laurel
Prunus lusitanica
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A dense evergreen shrub. It grows 6-10 m high. It is a broad spreading shape. The bark is dark grey-brown and smooth. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are oval and 12 cm long by 5 cm wide and with red leaf stalks. The leaves are dark and glossy green above and yellow-green underneath. They have fine teeth and long pointed tips. The flowers are white and 1 cm across and in slender sprays. There are about 20 flowers in each cluster. These are about 25 cm long. The fruit are red and turn black as they ripen. They hang on stalks. There are 3 subspecies.
There are about 200 Prunus species. It can be invasive.
Where it is found
It is native to S.W. France, Portugal and Spain. Temperate. It can grow on chalky soils. Geelong Botanical Gardens. Kyneton Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Britain, Central America, Europe, France, Jamaica, Mediterranean, North America, Portugal, Spain, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds