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Any ideas what this could be?

Hello everyone, I saw this today in someone's garden.  Does anyone know what it is?  It looks like a very useful evergreen as it's dark, glossy and healthy looking.  It reminded me of Arbutus I think but this seems to have berries instead of the little 'strawberries'.  I've put the 5p in to show the size of the leaves.  Also they're serrated along the edges if that helps.  Many thanks.

Posts

  • Looks like Bay.  Do the leaves smell when rubbed/crushed ?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That sounds like a good shout.
    Have you a photo of the shrub in situ?
    That's necessary if there's a chance it could be several things. The habit of growth then becomes important. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I would say, it looks like a Portuguese Laurel, Prunus Lusitanica.
  • It isn't Bay - sorry.  It was quite straggly and haphazard in growth, not like Bay at all.  I also though Prunus lusitanica Borderline but do you think the leaves are a bit small?

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    There is the Myrtifolia one that has smaller leaves and it's used a lot for edging/hedging. Could be that one.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited September 2021


    Please see link for accurate leaf....
    Quote  Mr Bean.

    "An evergreen shrub of wide, bushy form, usually 10 to 20 ft, but occasionally 40 to 50 ft high, more in diameter; young branches quite glabrous and very dark. Leaves ovate or oval, 21⁄2 to 5 in. long, 11⁄4 to 2 in. wide, quite glabrous on both surfaces, very dark, glossy green above, paler below, shallowly roundish"

     toothed.
     size.http://treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/prunus/prunus-lusitanica/
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Just took a look online Borderline and I think you're right.  I didn't know there was a smaller leaved version many thanks for that. 
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