Prunus laurocerasus

Prunus laurocerasus is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The reported severity is severe. Also known as Cherry Laurel.

dogs cats horses

Mild Moderate Severe Critical

If your animal ate this plant, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661. Fees may apply.

Symptoms to watch for

Dilated Pupils Difficulty Breathing Panting Shock

The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.

About

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.

How this plant poisons

Leaves and seed may cause severe discomfort to humans if ingested. The seeds contained within the cherries are poisonous like the rest of the plant, containing cyanogenic glycosides and amygdalin. This chemical composition is what gives the smell of almonds when the leaves are crushed. Laurel water, a distillation made from the plant, contains prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) and other compounds and is toxic.

Common Names

  • Cherry Laurel

Also recorded as Cherry-laurel, Common Laurel and English Laurel.

Facts

Family
Rosaceae
Duration
Perennial
Growth habit
Shrub, Tree
In the wild
GB, FR, CH, DE, BE, NL + more
Source
Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Elsewhere

Countries with the most wild observations, from GBIF data.