Prunus myrtifolia, called the West Indies cherry or myrtle laurel cherry, is a New World species of shrubs in the family Rosaceae.

Prunus myrtifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Prunus subg. Padus
Species:
P. myrtifolia
Binomial name
Prunus myrtifolia
Synonyms[2]
  • Celastrus myrtifolius L.
  • Laurocerasus myrtifolia (L.) Britton
  • Prunus sphaerocarpa Sw.
  • Prunus tikalana Lundell

Description edit

Prunus myrtifolia is a spineless, evergreen tree up to 12 metres (40 feet) tall, not forming clumps nor hairs. The flowers are white, formed in elongated arrays of up to 30 flowers. The fruit is dark purple, almost black, and is spherical or egg-shaped.[3][4]

Distribution edit

It is native to the southeastern United States (Florida), southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ Carrero, C. (2022). "Prunus myrtifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T64125547A64125553. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T64125547A64125553.en. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  2. ^ Tropicos, Prunus myrtifolia (L.) Urb.
  3. ^ Flora of North America, Prunus myrtifolia (Linnaeus) Urban, 1904. West Indies or myrtle laurel cherry
  4. ^ "IRC - Natives for Your Neighborhood".
  5. ^ Davidse, G., M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera. 2015. Saururaceae a Zygophyllaceae. 2(3): v–xvii, 1–347. In G. Davidse, M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F.
  6. ^ Funk, V. A., P. E. Berry, S. Alexander, T. H. Hollowell & C. L. Kelloff. 2007. Checklist of the Plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana). Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 55: 1–584
  7. ^ Prunus myrtifolia - Flora Digital do Rio Grande do Sul e de Santa Catarina in Portuguese with numerous photos plus distribution map for southern Brazil
  8. ^ Discover Life, Prunus myrtifolia (L. ) Urb. photos and distribution map
  9. ^ Florida Native Plant Society
  10. ^ Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants

External links edit