More on invasiveness: Cherry laurel thrives in woodland areas with moist slightly acidic soils, both in well-lit and shaded conditions. Fruits are dispersed over long distances by birds. Since recent years, seedlings are increasingly observed in the wild in Belgium.
More on impacts: Strong invasion by cherry laurel is not known so far in Western Europe. Invasion histories are however numerous in Southern and Central Europe, where the plant rapidly expands by root suckering, layering and stump sprouting. It has a dense and permanent canopy that outcompete native species, prevent forest regeneration and reduce biodiversity. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and global warming recently favoured plant installation in Atlantic conditions as well, where it is likely to become a new threat for native biodiversity. The plant is a potential vector of different Phytophtora pathogens. Leaves contain cyanogenic glucoside that are toxic for human.
Bioclimatic limits and range shifts of cold-hardy evergreen broad-leaved species at their northern distributional limit in Europe.
Does elevated CO2 facilitate naturalization of the non-indigenous Prunus laurocerasus in Swiss temperate forests?
The effects of climate change on the vegetation of central European cities.
Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 6/3: 169–185.
Climatic forcing and the dispersal of exotic species.