In article ,
David Hill wrote:
On 12/09/2012 13:42, wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
I presume this is Laurel
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meow224/
I just want to be sure which type of laurel it is, as it might be
usable for food. I think its Laurus nobilis. The blackish fruit are
half an inch across.

IMG_5904-3 Laurel?

I don't. I think that, if you cut into them, they will have a stone.
It's Prunus laurocerasus. You probably won't kill yourself if you
use it in the quantities most people use bay leaves in, but it's
certainly a possibility.

Forget it.
The leaves used to be used crushed in the bottom of a Jar to gas butterflys.

Oh, yes, indeed - but remember that uses volatile cyanides, which
would (mostly) disappear during cooking. It has caused deaths,
but typically only when used in fairly large quantities. While
some people have used it to give an almond flavour, I wouldn't
risk it myself.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.