(Prunus caroliniana)
Family: Rosaceae

Description
Evergreen tree with narrow or broad crown of spreading branches, glossy foliage, and inedible black fruit. Height is 40 ft. (12 m). Diameter is 10 in. (25 cm), and even larger in cultivation. Leaves are 2–4 in. (5–10 cm) long, and 0.75–1.5 in. (2–4 cm) wide. They are elliptical or narrowly elliptical, thick and slightly turned under at the edges. The leaves are hairless, aromatic when crushed, and have a bitter taste. They are shiny dark green above, paler beneath. Bark is gray and can be smooth or fissured. Flowers are 0.063 in. (5mm) wide, with five small rounded cream colored petals, and are found in dense clusters at the leaf base. Fruit is 0.38–0.5 in. (10–12 mm) long, elliptical with shiny black skin. The seed is toxic to humans.

Habitat
Moist soils of valleys and lowlands, forests and forest borders. This species often forms dense thickets. Non-native to New Mexico.

Discussion
Planted as an ornamental and hedge plant, often escaping cultivation. Birds consume the dry fruit.