Is Portuguese laurel poisonous to horses?

Asked by: Joe Kautzman

The laurel plant is a common shrub, mainly found in the Southeastern United Sates in open wooded areas, mountainous areas, and in both dry and wet land areas. All types of laurel are toxic to horses, with the severity of the reaction based on the health of the horse.

Is Portuguese laurel poisonous?

Prunus lusitanica is harmful if ingested. Its foilage and fruit are toxic.

Are laurel leaves poisonous to animals?

With the exception of Bay Laurel, the short answer is yes. All other Laurel hedging varieties (including berries) are poisonous to both humans and animals. Laurel hedge plants produce hydrocyanic acid which can cause serious complications if ingested.

Does Portuguese laurel have cyanide?

The leaves of Prunus lusitanica contain cyanide and will release this into the environment if burnt or if crushed. The fruit is somewhat edible if fully ripe, but if it is bitter, it is toxic and should not be eaten.

Is Portuguese laurel poisonous to dogs?

If your pet has eaten any part of a laurel shrub, contact your veterinarian immediately. The flowering shrub laurel contains a powerful neurotoxin called grayanotoxin which can disturb the proper function of the body’s cell membranes. Laurel poisoning should be treated as an emergency. Protect yourself and your pet.

Is Portuguese Laurel the same as bay?

Portugal Laurel – Prunus lusitanica



It has dark glossy green leaves, smaller than cherry laurel but superficially similar to bay.

What is the difference between Portuguese Laurel and cherry laurel?

Cherry Laurel can also have a considerable impact on the first day they are planted. The Portuguese Laurel hedge plant boast rich, darker green leaves along its striking deep red-pink stems. The leaves are more pointed than the rounder type found on Cherry Laurel hedging and have a flowing, elegant habit.

Why is laurel toxic?

Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), a common garden hedge, is one such potentially toxic cyanogenic plant [1]. Cyanide, the lethal agent of cyanogenic plants, prevents haemoglobin in erythrocytes from releasing oxygen to the tissues, with animals ultimately dying of anoxia [2].

Why is my Portuguese laurel dying?

Inadequate watering is the main problem with Prunus Lusitanica Portuguese Laurel. Lack of foliage shine, browning, drooping or yellowing all indicate that the soil is too dry and that you need to water the plants more. In general, during summer, weekly watering accompanied by feeding will keep your plants in top form.

What can I do with laurel leaves?

Summary. Laurel leaves can be composted, provided they are ground beforehand and do not include branches! If you don’t have a way to shred the leaves, then you should dispose of your green waste by going to the garbage dump.

What hedges are safe for horses?

These are some of the classic choices: Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Hornbeam, Cherry Plum, Dogrose, Sweet Briar, White Ramanas Rose and Red Ramanas Rose, Hazel and Common Dogwood. Stay away from plants such as Spindle, any of the Buckthorns, Holly and Blackthorn.

Does Portuguese Laurel have invasive roots?

The second laurel that we all know – Portuguese laurel, Prunus lusitanica – is, I think, superior in every way. It has none of the poisonous, rampant invasiveness of the cherry laurel and yet is a tough, hardy evergreen shrub or small tree that will also make a hedge.

How can you tell a Portuguese Laurel?

It can easily be identified by his long pointed glossy green leaves that sits on dark maroon stems a color combination replicating.

Is Portuguese Laurel a good hedge?

A very attractive hedging option, Portuguese Laurel produces pencil-like spikes of creamy-white flowers in early summer and has rich, burgundy-coloured leaf stalks in winter; it is ideal for a good solid evergreen hedge, but can also be used as a specimen shrub or allowed to grow to form an evergreen tree.

When should I trim my Portuguese Laurel?

Pruning Portugal laurel

1. Prune in May or June depending on the climate, just before flowering.
2. Pruning once a year is enough to keep a nice silhouette.

How big does Portuguese Laurel get?

Portugal Laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree in the rose family native to Portugal and Spain. It grows 10-2- feet tall and wide, taller if pruned to a tree form. As a shrub, it is dense and rounded in form and can be pruned as a hedge.

Are Portuguese Laurel fast growing?

Portuguese laurel hedging has an average to fast growth rate and will achieve approximately 40-60cm a year. The ideal height for a Portuguese laurel hedge is anything up to 5m.

Do birds eat Portuguese Laurel berries?

Both the flowers and berries are adored by birds, bees and butterflies whilst its dense structure and compact evergreen foliage offers winter protection for small animals.

How far apart do you plant a Portuguese Laurel hedge?

between 2 and 3 feet

All types of laurel should be planted between 2 and 3 feet (60-90cm) apart. If you want a quick screen then plant your laurel hedging plants at 2ft apart but if you are willing to wait a bit longer, you will get just as dense a hedge by planting at 3ft apart. Often a good compromise is 2’6″ apart.

Can you keep Portuguese Laurel small?

If growing this laurel hedge, your biggest chore will be keeping it trimmed to the size and shape you want. The laurel looks nice both neatly trimmed and when allowed to get shaggy, so it’s a matter of personal choice. If you want it to remain a hedge, you will need to trim at least once a year to maintain the size.

What months do Portuguese Laurel grow?

You only plant these plants when the plant is dormant or has stopped growing for the winter. They are planted from October/November to April/May depending on what the season is like i.e. if the spring is early or not, or if the autumn is very dry.

How do I thicken Portuguese Laurel hedge?

To prune laurel to encourage growth, we’d recommend trimming the branches and cutting them back several times a year (depending on how fast it grows) by up to a quarter. This makes the bush come back bushier and thicker than before more rapidly.

Can you shape Portuguese laurel?

Portuguese laurel is ideal for clipping into various shapes such as spheres, ovals and blocks; these can easily be formed by cutting roughly to shape with shears three times a year in February, July and October.

What is eating my Portuguese laurel?

Slugs. Slugs can cause damage by eating the edges of the leaves of laurel.

Can you move Portuguese laurel?

Push the laurel’s root system through the soil with a shovel. Cut any stubborn roots with a saw. Place the hedge on its side, and wrap a moist burlap sack around its roots. Set the plant in a wheelbarrow to move to its new location.

Will Portuguese laurel grow in shade?

Excellent in Dry Shade



Portuguese Laurel will grow in any soil, no matter how poor and in virtually any aspect. This is particularly good if you have a dry shady area where you wish to put a hedge. As Portuguese Laurel is hardier than most plants, it will also do really well in exposed positions.

Do Portuguese laurels lose their leaves?

This happens on a small scale when Portuguese laurels naturally shed their oldest leaves. Leaf connections weaken, leaves yellow and then drop. Minor yellowing of your Portuguese laurel’s oldest, lowest leaves isn’t cause for concern, but widespread yellowing indicates something abnormal at work.