Prunus lusitanica
Prunus lusitanica | |
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Foliage and immature fruit | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Genus: | Prunus |
Subgenus: | Prunus subg. Padus |
Species: | P. lusitanica
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Binomial name | |
Prunus lusitanica | |
Synonyms[3] | |
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Prunus lusitanica, the Portuguese laurel cherry
The split between the two subspecies (subsp. azorica, found in the Azores, and subsp. hixa / subsp. lusitanica, found elsewhere) is dated around the Pliocene.[9]
Description
Prunus lusitanica is an
The flowers are small (10–15 mm diameter) with five small white petals; they are produced on erect or spreading racemes 15–25 cm long in late spring. The fruit is a small cherry-like drupe 8–13 mm in diameter, green or reddish green at first, turning dark purple or black when ripe in late summer or early autumn.[10][14]
Distribution and habitat
Prunus lusitanica is rare in the wild, found mainly along mountain streams, preferring sunshine and moist but well-drained soils. It is moderately drought-tolerant. It reproduces either sexually (the most successful method) or asexually by cloning from shoots.[15]
Name
The species was first scientifically described by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753. Its
Subspecies
Three subspecies are accepted:[3]
- Prunus lusitanica subsp. lusitanica. Mainland Europe.
- Prunus lusitanica subsp. azorica (Mouill.) Franco. Azores.[17]
- Prunus lusitanica subsp. hixa (Willd.) Franco. Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco.
Cultivation
Prunus lusitanica is grown as an
Similar to its relative Prunus laurocerasus, P. lusitanica has been recognized by some botanists and land managers in both western Washington and Oregon as invasive. It is thought to have spread from cultivated areas into natural areas by birds who consume the fruit and then defecate the seeds away from the source plant.[citation needed]
It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[18]
Toxicity
The leaves of Prunus lusitanica contain cyanide and will release this into the environment if burnt[19] or if crushed.[20] The fruit is somewhat edible if fully ripe, but if it is bitter, it is toxic and should not be eaten.[21]
References
- PMID 26173113.
- . Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Prunus lusitanica L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Prunus lusitanica". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
- ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ "Prunus lusitanica" (PDF). Flora Iberica. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Euro+Med Plantbase Project: Prunus lusitanica Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Prunus lusitanica". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- PMID 26173113.
- ^ a b c d "P. lusitanica" (PDF). Flora Iberica. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ "Prunus lusitanica subesp. lusitanica" (in European Portuguese). Jardim Botânico da UTAD. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Azereiro". Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ Hay, R. (Ed) 1978. Reader's Digest Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and Flowers. Reader's Digest Association Limited, London.
- ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
- ^ Alarcon, J. A. C. (2001). Geobotany and Conservation Biology Study on Prunus lusitanica L. Iberian populations. Departamento de Biologia. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. Available online Archived 2006-04-14 at the Wayback Machine (pdf file).
- ^ "Portuguese Laurel Hedge".
- ^ Note: common names for Prunus lusitanica azorica include Ginja, Gingeira-brava and Ginjeira-do-Mato. "Prunus lusitanica azorica". University of the Azores. January 15, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2009.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Prunus lusitanica". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "Paghat's Garden: Prunus lusitanica". January 18, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2009.,
- ^ "EiC July 2008 - Feature - Exhibition chemistry: Toxic Hydrogen Cyanide". July 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Plants for a Future: Prunus lusitanica