Bay Laurel

Other names

True Laurel, Sweet Bay, Bay Tree

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Cultivated as annual

Native distribution

Mediterranean

Biocultural value

Leaves are a classic seasoning for meats, soups, stews and sauces.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Unknown

Description

Small tree or shrub 3-15m, sometimes more, densely branched. Young branchlets glabrous. Leaves 5-10 x 2-4cm, alternate, narrowly elliptic to ovate, apex tapered, acute, base tapered, margin often undulate, dark green, glabrous and shining above, glabrous beneath; petiole to 8mm. Flowers unisexual, green-yellow, small, peduncle short. Fruit 1-1.5cm, ovoid, black, shiny; peduncle 3-4mm.

USDA Hardiness Zone

8

Special characteristics

tender perennial, food