The split between the two subspecies (subsp. azorica, found in the Azores, and subsp. hixa / subsp. lusitanica, found elsewhere) is dated around the
Pliocene.[9]
Description
Prunus lusitanica is an
evergreenshrub or small
tree growing to 3-8m tall (though it can reach 15-20m in cultivation).[10][11][12][13] The
bark is smooth and dark-grey.[10] The
leaves are alternate, oval, 7–15 cm long and 3–5 cm broad,[10] with an acute apex and a dentate margin, glossy dark green above, lighter below.[12] They superficially resemble those of the
bay laurel, which accounts for its often being mistaken for one.
The
flowers are small (10–15 mm diameter) with five small white petals; they are produced on erect or spreading
racemes 15–25 cm long in late spring. The
fruit is a small cherry-like
drupe 8–13 mm in diameter, green or reddish green at first, turning dark purple or black when ripe in late summer or early autumn.[10][14]
Distribution and habitat
Prunus lusitanica is rare in the wild, found mainly along mountain streams, preferring sunshine and moist but well-drained soils. It is moderately drought-tolerant. It reproduces either sexually (the most successful method) or asexually by cloning from shoots.[15]
Name
The species was first scientifically described by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753. Its
specific epithetlusitanica means "of Lusitania", referring to the Roman name for Portugal.[16]
Prunus lusitanica is grown as an
ornamental shrub and is widely planted as a
hedge and for screening in gardens and parks. It is introduced and locally
naturalised in the
temperate zone in northern France, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Western Canada- including the southern BC Mainland and Vancouver Island From Victoria Up Island through the Cowichan, Nanaimo and Parksville as well as the western United States in California, Oregon and Washington State.[citation needed]
Similar to its relative Prunus laurocerasus, P. lusitanica has been recognized by some botanists and land managers in both western Washington and Oregon as invasive. It is thought to have spread from cultivated areas into natural areas by birds who consume the fruit and then defecate the seeds away from the source plant.[citation needed]
The leaves of Prunus lusitanica contain
cyanide and will release this into the environment if burnt[19] or if crushed.[20] The fruit is somewhat edible if fully ripe, but if it is bitter, it is toxic and should not be eaten.[21]
^Hay, R. (Ed) 1978. Reader's Digest Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and Flowers. Reader's Digest Association Limited, London.
^Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins
ISBN0-00-220013-9.
^Alarcon, J. A. C. (2001). Geobotany and Conservation Biology Study on Prunus lusitanica L. Iberian populations. Departamento de Biologia. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. Available
onlineArchived 2006-04-14 at the
Wayback Machine (pdf file).
^Note: common names for Prunus lusitanica azorica include Ginja, Gingeira-brava and Ginjeira-do-Mato.
"Prunus lusitanica azorica". University of the Azores. January 15, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2009.