Prunus caroliniana Carolina cherry laurel

Prunus caroliniana in flower, Kingscote Gardens. Sairus Patel, 15 Apr 2021

Prunus caroliniana, Norcliffe Hall. Sairus Patel, 5 Jun 2023

A tree or shrub with very attractive glossy evergreen leaves, though of such nondescript appearance that it is often overlooked or mistaken for something else (rather like osmanthus) – until it blooms, when small racemes of white flowers emerge, followed by shiny black inedible drupes with scarcely more than a scrape of pulp for birds.

A tall hedge runs along the west side of Tresidder Union opposite the Faculty Club. A compact selection with the rather cheeky trade name Bright ’N Tight may be seen against the back of the house at Kingscote Gardens. Another tall row encloses the fenced patio at the southeast corner of Roble Hall. Neglected shrubs later pruned into small trees can acquire a certain battered charm; two such frame the stairs at the end of the walkway on the east side of Norcliffe Hall. To their right stand other old-fashioned shrubs: Portuguese laurel and sweet viburnum.

In downtown Menlo Park, several sizable street trees can be found, their remarkably dark trunks, often knobby or inclined, contrasting nicely with the lustrous foliage. One is at 1115 Chestnut Street; others are on Doyle Street, where they can be compared with our closely related local native, P. ilicifolia.