Taxonomy

Prunus laurocerasus | Cherry Laurel | Labhras silíní

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not Assessed

First reported in the wild

1950

Invasiveness

Invasive species - risk of High Impact

Irish status

Established

Introduction pathways - 1

Escape from Confinement

Introduction pathways subclass - 1

Ornamental purpose

Invasive score

18

NAPRA Ireland risk assessed

No

Species Biology

Identification

Evergreen shrub, up to 10m tall, leaves oblong-ovate 5-15cm, flower white, with purple-black fruit (Stace, 1997).

Ecology

Outcompete native species and suppresses regeneration by forming thick stands and avoids herbivory by wildlife (Maguire et al., 2008). Grows in association with Rhododendron ponticum.

Habitat

Woodland, forest and other wooded land; Mires, bogs & fen; Grasslands and landscapes dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens; Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats; Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats

Reproduction

Spreads by layering and suckering. Fruit may be eaten and dispersed by birds (Reynolds, 2002).

Pathway and vector description

Commonly used plant as shrubbery, escaped from cultivation and has since spread widely (Reynolds, 2002).

Mechanism of impact

Competition, Bio-fouling

Broad environment

Terrestrial

Habitat description

Common in woodland, it is considered a threat to a priority habitat namely "Lowland woodland pasture and parkland" (Stokes et al., 2004).

Species group

Plant

Native region

Europe

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Irish distribution

Established - Widespread & Common, locally abundant (Reynolds, 2002).

Native distribution

South west Asia (Maguire et al., 2008).

Temporal change

Date of first record category

1941-1950

Fifty year date category

1901-1950

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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How can you help

Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Follow the code of practice for removal.

References

Publications

Maguire, C.M., Kelly, J. and Cosgrove, P.J. (2008). Best Practice Management Guidelines Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum and Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus. Prepared for NIEA and NPWS as part of Invasive Species Ireland.

Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin.

Stace, C. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Stokes, K., O'Neill, K. & McDonald, R.A. (2004) Invasive species in Ireland. Report to Environment & Heritage Service and National Parks & Wildlife Service. Quercus, Queens University Belfast, Belfast.

Best Practice Management Guidelines. Rhododendron. (Rhododendron ponticum) and. Cherry Laurel. (Prunus laurocerasus)



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