Tuesday 18 June
Azores laurel cherry (Prunus lusitanica azorica)
Azores laurel cherry fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Azores laurel cherry description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Prunus (1) |
This subspecies of Portugal laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is a hardy evergreen tree with larger, thicker leaves than the other subspecies, but with the same beautiful clusters of white scented flowers when in bloom. The leaves are reddish when young, but turn dark green when mature, while the stalks remain red (4).
- Size
- Height: up to 4 m (2)
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Related species
Azores laurel cherry biology
Whereas the common name used for the species, Portugal laurel, incorrectly implies that it is a variety of laurel (Lauraceae), the name given to the subspecies, Azores laurel cherry, paints a more accurate picture, recognising that it is in fact a type of cherry. Unlike other cherries, however, this plant is evergreen, resembling laurels. Further more, Portugal laurels do not bloom until after new leaves form in spring, whereas most cherries bloom before leafing (5). This tree’s stunning white flowers blossom in June, have both male and female organs, and are pollinated by insects (3) (6). The flowers give way to green cherries that eventually ripen to a shiny black colour in autumn (5).
TopAzores laurel cherry range
The tree is found on the islands of Sâo Miguel, Terceira, Sâo Jorge and Pico off Portugal (Azores) (1).
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Species with a similar range
Azores laurel cherry habitat
Inhabits deep, narrow ravines and undisturbed laurel-juniper forests (1).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Azores laurel cherry status
Classified as Endangered (EN B1 + 2ce) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1), listed on Annex II of the European Habitats Directive and on Appendix 1 of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (3).
TopAzores laurel cherry threats
The major threats to this subspecies are the clearance of trees for agriculture and plantations, and the competition and predation pressure posed by introduced animals and plants (1).
TopAzores laurel cherry conservation
No conservation initiatives are currently in place for this subspecies.
TopFind out more
For further information on the Azores laurel cherry see:
-
Plants For A Future:
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Prunus+lusitanica&CAN=COMIND
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Glossary
- Subspecies
- A population usually restricted to a geographical area that differs from other populations of the same species, but not to the extent of being classified as a separate species.
References
-
IUCN Red List (December, 2004)
http://www.redlist.org - Huxley, A. (1997) The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan Reference Limited, London.
-
Council of Europe (December, 2004)
http://www.coe.int/T/e/Cultural_Co-operation/Environment/Nature_and_biological_diversity/Nature_protection/Resolution6(1998).asp -
Pan-Global Plants (December, 2004)
http://www.panglobalplants.com/plants-plantview=shrubs-filter=P-startrow=21.htm -
Portugal laurel (November, 2005)
http://www.paghat.com/portuguallaurel.html -
Plants For A Future (November, 2005)
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Prunus+lusitanica&CAN=COMIND
More »Related species
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