identification help please

[welshmum]

I took the kids out walking this afternoon in a country park not too far from where I live and came across these growing on a arge tree. I took some home and heres the photo.

I am hoping that these are edible as there were loads ready to be picked. I think that it may be laurel cherry.

Thanks in advance

[Millymollymandy]

I think you are right but I have no idea if they are edible or not. I remember having a tree with them at my old house and the birds went bananas for them and they did make a right old mess when they fell off the tree.

[welshmum]

according to wikipedia they are edible! So I have just had them with some sugar syrup, warmed, for my supper. I think they need the extra sugar to sweeten them a bit as they are a little bland. A blog I found suggested that they are sweeter when dried so may try this with the ones that I pick properly on Monday and keep them for winter. Any other suggestions would be welcomed.
Thanks
Elle

[Millymollymandy]

I've just read the Wiki entry and hadn't realised that good old laurel hedge is a member of the Prunus family! I thought it was just called cherry laurel because of the fruit. Well you learn something new every day.

[ellie-in-wellies]

Hi,
You are correct, as far as I can tell these sre the leaves and berries of Prunus laurocerasus, (Cherry Laurel) which I would not recommend eating. Most books describe the berries as 'toxic in bulk'! so I would definitely err on the side of caution, the leaves too contain tiny amounts of cyanide so not really a salad addition:p. I'm not trying to scare you, I just felt to warn you.
xxSun&Rainxx
Ellie

[oldjerry]

For what it's worth,this is a CHERRY laurel,hence Prunus.... Most true Laurel (ie Laurus.........) as far as i know is toxic.

[Millymollymandy]

Like bay leaves?

[oldjerry]

Well,I did say most! and they're pretty astringent..

[Millymollymandy]

Have you eaten one? This reminds me, I need to cut some to dry for the winter months for when I'm cooking and want a bay leaf but it's cold, dark and wet outside.....

[Hedgehogpie]

Don't try using the leaves of the cherry laurel, it's only the fruit that can be eaten (and only then in moderation - as already pointed out, the plant contains hydrogen cyanide and this is at its most concentrated in the fruit stones and the foliage). I do know of the fruits being used to flavour brandy in France (steeped like sloes), but I'd treat them with caution and avoid having too many. Have a look at the link (below*) for the Plants for a Future Database, you'll find it's much more reliable than Wiki for plant edibility info!

* http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Lat ... urocerasus