Laurus nobilis is belonging to Lauraceaea family. The genus Laurus includes four accepted species. Bay Laurel is an aromatic evergreen small tree or large shrub. It may reach up to 15 meters high. It is native to the Mediterranean region.

60 million years ago southern Europe and northern Africa were covered by laurel forests. Today, Laurus nobilis is the one left and natural distribution of it, is confined to pockets of Morocco, Macaronesia, Southern Black Sea and Mediterranean Basin. Bay Laurel has been cultivated for millenarian as an ornamental and for its aromatic leaves and classical symbolism. Linnaeus named the species nobilis (noble).

The Laurus nobilis is dioecious (unisexual), with male and female flowers on separate plants. Each flower is pale yellow-green, about 1 cm diameter, and they are borne in pairs beside a leaf. It flowers from April to May.The leaves are glabrous, 6–12 cm long and 2–4 cm broad, with an entire margin. On some leaves the margin undulates. Stone fruit   is a small, oval in shape about 1 cm long that contains one seed.

Bay Laurel is hardy to -12˚C. It is suitable for; sandy, loamy or clay soils. Tolerates acid and alkaline soils but prefers well-drained soil. It can grow in semi-shade or in full sun. The plant can tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure. There is a gold form that called Laurus nobilis ‘Aurea’.

Use in Landscape: Laurus nobilis is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in regions with Mediterranean or oceanic climates, and as a house plant or greenhouse plant in colder regions. It is used in topiary to create single erect stems with ball-shaped, box-shaped or twisted crowns; also for low hedges.

Bay Laurel was used to fashion the laurel wreath of ancient Greece, a symbol of highest status. The symbolism carried over to Roman culture, which held the laurel as a symbol of victory.  Ovid tells the story in the metamorphoses that laurel tree was first formed when the nymph Daphne was changed into a Laurel tree because of Apollo’s pursuit of her. Daphne is the Greek name for the tree.

Laurel essential oil contains many components (eucalyptol, lauric acid etc). Aqueous extracts of Laurus nobilis can also be used as astringents and even as a reasonable salve for open wounds. In massage therapy, the essential oil of Bay Laurel is reputed to alleviate arthritis and rheumatism. An oil from the fruit is used in soap making.

The plant is the source of several popular herbs and one spice used in a wide variety of recipes, particularly among Mediterranean cuisines. Most commonly, the aromatic leaves are added whole to Italian pasta sauces. Whole bay leaves have a long shelf life of about one year, under normal temperature and humidity.