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of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and VinesEncyclopedia
of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
specimens planted around 1900 grow in the Inner
Quad as small, spreading trees with furrowed mid-gray bark. The leaves are glossy
and leathery, slightly toothed and up to 6 inches long. Prunus laurocerasus
came to Europe from Turkey in the 16th century, reached England in the 17th, and
California in the 19th. Understandably, it is not called English laurel in England
but rather common laurel or cherry laurel. The white flower spikes stand up conspicuously
in spring; March is the time to notice that all the islands, except the two nearest
to Memorial Court, are distinguished by at least one laurel. Later, the small
blackish-blue conical berries conspicuously litter the Quad and attract birds.
Laurel leaves contain amygdalin, a compound of prussic acid (HCN) and glucose, which is also found in bitter almond kernels (see P. armeniaca) and, to a high degree, in cassava. The last English alchemist, Dr. James Price (1752-1783), demonstrated a catalyst for transmuting mercury into verifiable silver and gold, but a year later, under pressure to make more precious metal, he prepared a lethal potion by macerating laurel leaves and drank the fatal cup. Do not confuse this poisonous tree with the California 'laurel' (Umbellularia californica), leaf fragments of which can be used in cooking.
Other campus Prunus: Prunus armeniaca | Prunus caroliniana | Prunus cerasifera | Prunus ilicifolia | Prunus laurocerasus | Prunus lusitanica | Prunus lyonii | Prunus serrulata | Prunus subhirtella | Prunus × blireiana | Prunus × yedoensis
Illustrations (links open new windows): habit | leaves & fruit
Additions/Revisions: A shrub/groundcover form Prunus laurocerasus 'Zabeliana' has been occasionally planted, and has narrower shorter leaves than the species. It can be seen in the Math Courtyard and north side of Braun Music, and elsewhere.Name derivation, genus | species Latin name for the plum tree | the common name, cherry laurel
Related material: Stanford Grounds Plant Information Sheet. List No. 14, p.2 Botanical
name index | Common name index | Family
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