Virginia Tech Dendrology

Carolina laurelcherry Rosaceae Prunus caroliniana Aiton symbol: PRCA
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, entire margin or a few teeth, lanceolate, 2 1/2 to 5 inches long, dark shiny green above, much paler below.
Flower: Small, creamy white, 5 petals, occur in 2 to 3 inch elongated clusters, appearing in early spring.
Fruit: Drupe, 1/2 inch in diameter, shiny black when ripe in late summer.
Twig: Slender, reddish brown, developing gray patches with age, strong cherry odor when broken, buds reddish brown and small.
Bark: Smooth, gray, reddish brown, numerous lenticels, develops some splits and fissures with age.
Form: Small tree to 40 feet.
Looks like: cherrylaurel - Chickasaw plum - black cherry

Additional Range Information: Prunus caroliniana is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information