top of page
Sylvia Rose

Is Cherry Laurel Poisonous?

Updated: May 9, 2024

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is an Old World evergreen species of the cherry family. Often mistaken for edible bay laurel, Prunus laurocerasus is toxic. Like the bay laurel, P. laurocerasus is used to make victory wreaths, hence the term laureate.


READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure


See also:


berries of  poison cherry laurel
Ripening Berries, Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) near the Black Sea

The cherry laurel in America is a different species, Prunus caroliniana. The leaves and branches of P. carolianiana are highly toxic, and the berries are poisonous to humans and most animals. Birds enjoy them in winter. P. caroliniana has a limited range in SE America.


READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure


Prunus laurocerasus, a species of cherry (Prunus) is not a true laurel. It's native to Black Sea coasts in SW Asia and SE Europe, and from Albania and Bulgaria east to the Caucasus Mountains and north Iran. It's a shrub to medium sized tree with glossy green leaves.


See also:


The triumphant laurel wreath
The Laurel Wreath, popularized by Apollo, is made from bay laurel and cherry laurel

The laurel wreath originates in Greek mythology, as worn by Sun God Apollo. Its use and symbolism is later embraced by the Romans. In Rome, the laurel wreath or cherry laurel wreath represents military victory. Commanders or emperors don the wreath after battle.


READ: Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction - German Mythology Adventures


Prunus laurocerasus of Europe and west Asia grows as a shrub or tree to 5-15 m (16-49 ft) tall. The leaves are dark green, leathery, shiny and when crushed can exude an almond scent. The flower buds appear in early spring and open in early summer.


See also:


cherry laurel flowers
Flowers of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The almond scent comes from the cyanide compounds in the oils of the plant. When ingested they produce prussic acid. Despite its toxic aura the tree yields somewhat edible fruit (the flesh around the seed). Bitter fruit should not be eaten. It's higher in cyanide.


READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure


Flowers are sweet-smelling, creamy white petals with yellow stamens. The fruits are small cherries under 2 cm long each. Through summer they may turn green, orange and red. In early autumn they ripen, turning black.


See also:


ripe berries of cherry laurel
Cherry laurel ripe fruit

Ingesting leaves, stems and seeds of Prunus laurocerasus can cause cyanide poisoning. In Nero's Rome the cherry laurel plant is used for execution, political assassination and forced suicide.


READ: Reiker For Hire - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries


Cyanide or prussic acid comes from natural elements in some food and plants. A fast-acting chemical, cyanide inhibits the body's ability to use oxygen. Cyanide is described as having a “bitter almond” smell. It doesn't always always have an odor; if so, not everyone detects it.


See also:


cyanide in a glass vial
Prussic acid or cyanide

Cyanide is ubiquitous in very small amounts. Lethal exposure can be accidental. Upon exposure to cyanide the body reacts almost immediately. Symptoms include


  • pain & tightness in chest

  • confusion

  • dizziness

  • weakness

  • eye pain, tears

  • over-excitement

  • difficulty breathing

  • headache

  • nausea

  • change in heart rate

  • change in breathing

  • restlessness

  • vomiting

  • wheezing


See also:


springtime cherry laurel
Cherry laurel, leaves and various stages of berry ripeness

Larger or concentrated amounts, or prolonged exposure, causes such symptoms as


  • seizures

  • lung damage

  • abnormally high or low blood pressure

  • loss of consciousness

  • coma

  • death


Survivors may be left with heart, brain, and nerve damage. The seeds of the cherry laurel are poisonous like the rest of the plant, containing cyanogenic glycosides and amygdalin, the chemicals releasing the smell of almonds when leaves are crushed.


See also:


cherry laurel flower spikes
Flower spikes of cherry laurel (P. laurocerasus)

Honey of this plant may be toxic. Unlike the wood of its sweet fruitful relatives of the Prunus family, cherry laurel wood is not good for carving. Wood of cherry laurel is high in water, and can split and distort as it dries.


READ: Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction - German Mythology Adventures


Fresh wood is creamy white, possibly with an almond odor. It turns to orange and brown when dried. Some sections may be workable, made into bowls or small objects.


See also:


Cross section of dry cherry laurel trunk showing wood grain and crack
Cross section of dry cherry laurel trunk showing wood grain and splits

In folk medicine fresh leaves are antispasmodic, narcotic and sedative. This plant is said to treat coughs, asthma, dyspepsia and indigestion. Externally, a cold infusion of the leaves might be used as a wash for eye infections.


See also:




28 views

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page