261 An Important Genetic Resource for Turkey: Cherry Laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis Roemer) K. Yazıcı a West Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute Antalya Turkey S. Kazaz University of Suleyman Demirel Faculty of Forestry Department of Landscape Architecture Isparta Turkey B. Çakır Ege University Agricultural Faculty Department of Horticulture İzmir Turkey Keywords: characteristics, fruit, karayemis, laurel cherry, Turkey, utilization Abstract Karayemis (Prunus laurocerasus L.) is included in the Rosaceae family, Prunoideae sub-family, Prunus genus. Like for many other fruits, Anatolia is the origin of karayemis. This species is naturally found in Caucasia, East Black Sea, North and East Marmara and Taurus mountains. The height of the karayemis plant is 2-6 m, and evergreen. The flower of karayemis is white in color and the fruit is black and red in color just like sweet cherry. Fruits are connected to clusters which are 10- 20 cm long. In growing areas of Turkey (East Black Sea region), it is consumed by the people as a fresh fruit, also evaluated as dried, pickled, jam and stewed fruit. Because of being an evergreen plant, it is used as an ornamental plant in parks, also having many chemicals in young shoots, fruits and seeds it is used in pharmacology extensively. Except for the Black Sea region, karayemis is a new fruit species for Turkey and the world. Recently new fruits are always interesting for the world markets and for our country and have high prices such as kiwifruit and some tropical fruits. In our country, the origin of karayemis, important economic advantages will be gained by introducing karayemis to inner and outer markets. Such as in other fruit species originated in our country, also in karayemis, most important genetic resources are being depleted. Therefore, to preserve these resources, precautions have to be taken immediately. INTRODUCTION Turkey is one of the most important countries in the world in terms of genetic variability with 10754 wild species (Şehirali et al., 2005; Köse, 1997; Sarıbaş, 1998). The geological and ecological conditions of Turkey allow to grow many plant species. Because of being the place of origin of many fruit species, Turkey is one of most important fruit crop centers with 80 fruit species out of 138, cultivated in the world (Özbek, 1978). One of those fruits species is cherry laurel, karayemis (Laurocerasus oficinalis Roemer) known in local areas under the names of “Taflan”, “Gürcü Kirazı”, “Karamış”, “Kattak”, “Laz Üzümü”, “Laz Yemişi” and “Tahnal” (Alpınar and Yazıcıoğlu, 1991). Karayemis (Prunus laurocerasus L.) is included in the Prunus genus, Rosaceae family, Prunoideae sub-family (Kayacık, 1982; Sandallı, 2002; Anon., 2007). It has been reported that there are many cultivars showing differences within the Laurocerasus officinalis (Özbek, 1952). There are three cultivated cultivars (‘Oxygemmis’, ‘Globigemmis’ and ‘Angusti- a kezbanyazici@yahoo.com Proc. II nd IS on Pomegranate and Minor, including Mediterranean Fruits (ISPMMF - 2009) Eds.: M.K. Sheikh et al. Acta Hort. 890, ISHS 2011