Laurus nobilis Bay tree
Family
Lauraceae
Genus
Laurus [LAW-rus]
Old L. name for a Bay tree, the true 'Laurel' of the ancients, perhaps derived
from Celtic laur, green
Species
nobilis [NO-bil-is]
noble
Laurus nobilis is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glossy
leaves, native to the Mediterranean region. It is one of the plants used for bay leaf
seasoning in cooking. It is known as bay laurel, sweet bay, bay tree (esp. United
Kingdom), true laurel, Grecian laurel, laurel tree or simply laurel. Laurus nobilis
figures prominently in classical Greek, Roman, and Biblical culture. Worldwide, many
other kinds of plants in diverse families are also called "bay" or "laurel", generally
due to similarity of foliage or aroma to Laurus nobilis, and the full name is used for
the California bay laurel (Umbellularia), also in the family Lauraceae.