The lack of visible reproductive parts increases the difficulty. If you can find some recent/developing flowers or fruits on it somewhere or spent ones lying on the ground beneath it and show them your likelihood of getting a quick identification will increase. Or perhaps there is another example growing in the vicinity that is displaying these features. I thought of the laurel also, but wondered about the size and sharpness of the teeth edging the leaves.
Only reason I say Cherry Laurel is I lived in Tampa 15 years and you couldn't swing a stick without hitting one. :-) Regards Chris
