21. Baltimore Oriole (Tulip Tree

Baltimore oriole Song and call: hew-li

Fig. 48. Detail of tulip poplar flower

Fig. 47

CARDINAl gRoSBeAk, Plate ClIX

Carolina Laurelcherry

Prunus caroliniana

Audubon’s laurelcherry, known as the Carolina cherry laurel, Cherry laurel, Carolina cherry, or wild almond, is a flowering tree native to the Southeastern United States, from North Carolina south to Florida and westward to eastern Texas. The leaves range in color from yellow-green to a rich dark green, depending on the pH of the soil. Fragrant white flowers appear on two- to three-inch long racemes (long stalked bunches) in late winter and early spring and are displayed to maximum advantage against the dense foliage. The flowers are followed by blue-black fruits that are about one-half inch in diameter. This versatile evergreen is usually encountered as a large shrubby plant in nature where it often can be seen forming large colonies. Due to its abundant seed production and ease of seed dispersal via birds, this tree is sometimes considered a “weedy native” species. The leaves and branches contain high amounts of prussic acid (cyanide), making it toxic to grazing animals.

“The Wild Almond is altogether a southern tree. Many are planted around the plantation grounds or the gardens of our southern cities, on account of its beautiful appearance. The fruits are greedily devoured by many species of birds, but are unpalatable to man” (Audubon, Vol. 2, 340).

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a non-migratory bird that inhabits woodland edges, swamps, creek-side thickets, and gardens throughout the eastern United States.

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