Carolina Laurel Cherry Flower

Did you know

• The small white flowers are produced in dense racemes and have a fragrance similar to almonds or cherries.
• The leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds that release hydrogen cyanide when crushed.
• Carolina laurel cherry was widely planted as a privacy screen in the American South due to its dense, glossy foliage.
• Birds eagerly eat the small black fruits, which pass through their digestive systems and spread the tree far from its origin.
• The wood is fine-grained and has been used for small woodworking projects and turned objects.

Color meanings

Uses

• privacy hedges
• ornamental shade tree
• wildlife habitat