does laurel contain cyanide
HOWEVER, there are several related plants, also called Laurel, that do contain cyanide and other poisons. For example, the leaves and berries of Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana laurocerasus) contain a chemical known as amygdalin, which is broken down to release cyanide (see below).Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) contains chemicals called andromedotoxin (grayanotoxin) asebotoxin and arbutin, which are toxic.or example, the leaves and berries of Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana laurocerasus) contain a chemical known as amygdalin, which is broken down to release cyanide (see below). Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) contains chemicals called andromedotoxin (grayanotoxin) asebotoxin and arbutin, which are toxic.