"But no one has told me what the difference is between Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus caroliniana. No such clarification was posted. My original question was about identification of a tree. Is there some reason to believe that I have one, rather than the other? " It was properly identified by botanical name by Embothrium. Prior to that, just one of many common names was used for ID however that common name is often applied to both species. Prunus caroliniana is a native species that includes Texas as part of its natural range. It would be very unusual for Prunus laurocerasus to pop up spontaneously in your area but entirely natural for P. caroliniana to do so. It is also more tree-like in habit than Prunus laurocerasus, which is most often grown as a large shrub with no discernible trunk and the leaves present somewhat differently (smooth margins for one and slight serration for the other). As to the negative attributes you list, other than the propensity for P. laurocerasus being invasive in specific areas, they are just not serious enough to worry about.

Thanks, ladies. That was my opinion, as well. but I'd only ever seen it growing out of old cracks and forming dense mats, as in the pic. I wonder how it got there. I haven't seen any locally. It's apparent loci would be consistant with having been in with the medium it came in, but can it propagate from bits of roots after 3-4 years? Can't see that.

There are numerous Sempervivums but the webbing points to S arachnoideum.

Just found this forum, followed a link from the Hosta Library. I live in Quinte West, Ontario, Canada and the Canadian gardening zone has been amended to 6a. I have lots of hosta in the garden, some with names, some without names, and some so familiar to others. Here is one that I discovered growing under a container in May 2026. Naturally moved the container, and the hosta is growing well now. If more photos needed, let me know. Thanks very mcuh.