| Laurus nobilis | |
|---|---|
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| Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) leaves and branches | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Laurales |
| Family: | Lauraceae |
| Genus: | Laurus |
| Species: | L. nobilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Laurus nobilis | |
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| Distribution map | |
Laurus nobilis /ˈlɔːrəs ˈnɒbɪlɪs/[2][3] is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous (smooth) leaves. It is in the flowering plant family Lauraceae. 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),[4]: 84 bay laurel, sweet bay, true laurel, Grecian laurel,[5] or simply laurel. Laurus nobilis figures prominently in classical Greco-Roman 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.
- ^ Khela, S.; Wilson, B. (2018). "Laurus nobilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T203351A119996864. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T203351A119996864.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Laurus". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
- ^ "Botanary: nobilis". Dave's Garden. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ Stace, C. A. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles (Third ed.). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521707725.
- ^ Brown, R.W. (1956). Composition of scientific words: A manual of methods and a lexicon of materials for the practice of logotechnics. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.