Learn what laurel trees are, the main types, edible vs toxic varieties, and how to identify bay laurel leaves, seeds, flowers, and uses.
English Laurel gets its name from its resemblance to the true Laurel tree, but it is actually related to the cherry tree family. The bushy-looking tree can grow up to 30 feet tall and sport an even wider canopy of leaves.
It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as bay leaf for seasoning in cooking. Its common names include bay tree (esp. United Kingdom), [5]: 84 bay laurel, sweet bay, true laurel, Grecian laurel, [6] or simply laurel. Laurus nobilis figures prominently in classical Greco-Roman culture.
Laurel is an evergreen shrub which belongs to the family Lauraceae but the word Laurel can refer to quite a few different types of hedge plants. Although exhibiting various species-specific traits, the broad-leafed stalwarts do share some general characteristics.
From the hardy Mountain Laurel to the evergreen Cherry Laurel, explore popular varieties, benefits, challenges, and best uses!
: an evergreen shrub or tree (Laurus nobilis of the family Lauraceae, the laurel family) of southern Europe with small yellow flowers, fruits that are ovoid blackish berries, and evergreen foliage once used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games
Bay laurel, (Laurus nobilis), fragrant evergreen species of the family Lauraceae, the source of the cooking herb bay leaf. Bay laurel is native to the Mediterranean region but now widely cultivated in other regions of the world.
A laurel tree, scientifically known as Laurus nobilis, is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the flowering plant family Lauraceae and is commonly referred to as bay tree, bay laurel, sweet bay, true laurel, or Grecian laurel.