Scientific classification
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Laurales |
| Family: | Lauraceae |
| Genus: | Laurus |
| Species: | L. nobilis |
Characteristics
Laurel, (Laurus nobilis L.) is an evergreen shrub or tree from the laurel family of the same name (Lauraceae). It grows up to 18 meters in height, forming a wide and dense canopy. The trunk is up to 60 cm in diameter, the bark is thin, gray and smooth in youth, later it becomes dark and rough.
The leaves are alternately spirally arranged, dark green on the face, lighter on the reverse, 6-12 cm long, wide 2-4 cm. Laurel is a dioecious plant, unisexual flowers are found on separate plants. The flowers are about 1 cm in diameter, gathered in tufts, located in the axils of the leaves. The flowers are four pale yellow leaves, the male flowers have 8-12 anthers, the female has a pistil with an overgrown pistil. It blooms in March and April. The fruits are dark, slightly elongated beans about 1 cm in diameter containing one seed each. They ripen in late autumn.
Habitat – Range
It is widespread in Europe, southwest Asia and northern Africa in the Mediterranean area. It is looking for a warm and humid climate.
It is planted as an ornamental tree in parks, and a number of ornamental forms have been developed. Propagation is possible by slow-germinating seeds, cuttings and seedlings. Suitable for sunny or semi-shady habitats. It grows slowly, and young plants need to be watered regularly until they strengthen. It tolerates pruning well. Due to its well-developed root, it protects the soil from erosion, and as it tolerates pruning, it can also be grown in the form of a hedge or for making living sculptures.
Bark and Leaves
Etymology
The Latin name of the genus Laurus comes from the Celtic word blaur (always green), and was the name of the plant in the ancient Romans. Poets, winners and other persons who were awarded the highest recognition (laureate) were crowned with a laurel wreath. The name of the species nobilis means noble, elegant.
Usage
The leaves are usually collected from September and dried in a thin layer in an airy and warm place. They are aromatic, used in the kitchen as a spice, although they are always taken out before meals if they are not finely ground because they are sharp and can damage the digestive organs.
Slightly less often, but dried fruits are used as a spice, they contain about 1% of essential oil and up to 30% of fatty oil.
Steam distillation of the leaves yields an essential oil that contains 1-3% of the leaves. It is used to treat oral ailments, such as analgesic for sore joints, muscles, for rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis, for treating viral infections of the respiratory system.
It is a good honey plant, bees like to visit flowers by taking nectar and pollen.
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