Flower profile

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a shrub or small tree in the Rosaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly March–May across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Cherry laurel is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Washington it's most often seen in bloom in April–May.

3states where USDA records it

2,023WA sightings*

3,327U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Washington

Quick look

Prunus laurocerasus, also known as cherry laurel, common laurel and sometimes English laurel in North America, is an evergreen species of cherry (Prunus), native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, from Albania and Bulgaria east through Turkey to the Caucasus Mountains and northern Iran.
From Wikipedia's article Prunus laurocerasus, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 3 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 2,023 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #93 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Washington, most flowering sightings come in April–May.

Flowering records by month in Washington (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (116 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. ^NatureServe
Washington: No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe has no Washington rank for it.
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: leaves, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, panting, shock.” ^{NC State Extension}

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Cherry” (Prunus spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting… ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records cherry laurel in 3 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Oregon, Washington.

Washington counties with USDA records: Benton, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Mason, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Walla Walla.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Cerasus laurocerasus, Laurocerasus officinalis.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 19 counties across 3 states; the most are in Oregon (9), Washington (8), California (2).

Other Prunus on Bloomipedia (16): Black cherry, Chokecherry, Carolina laurelcherry, American plum, Beach plum, Peach, Fire cherry, Desert peach, Sweet cherry, European plum.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Mock strawberry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry.

More Washington flowers

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July

Osoberry

Oemleria cerasiformis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: February–April

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile PRLA5.
iNaturalist, Prunus laurocerasus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Prunus laurocerasus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Prunus laurocerasus (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension; ASPCA.
Photo: Jeffrey Lee (he/him/his) via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized.