Family: Lauraceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 369 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Laurus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Medit.
Description
Sweet bay, known scientifically as Laurus nobilis, is a revered plant with a rich historical lineage and a myriad of practical applications. First documented in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this Mediterranean native has carved out a significant place in both culinary and medicinal traditions across the globe.
Belonging to the Lauraceae family, Sweet bay is an evergreen tree or large shrub that can grow to substantial heights, typically reaching up to 12 meters in ideal conditions. Its distinctive dark green, glossy leaves are aromatic and have been prized for their flavor when dried and used as a culinary herb. Often referred to simply as bay leaves, they are a staple ingredient in a variety of cuisines, imparting a subtle, yet complex flavor to soups, stews, and sauces.
In addition to its culinary uses, Laurus nobilis holds a prominent place in history and culture. In ancient Greece and Rome, it was a symbol of honor and victory, famously used to craft the laurel wreaths that adorned the heads of victors and dignitaries. The plant’s association with nobility and achievement is reflected in its scientific name, nobilis, which means ‘noble’.
Moreover, the Sweet bay has been utilized in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits. It has been used to alleviate conditions such as digestive issues, respiratory problems, and even to improve appetite and alleviate aches and pains. The essential oil extracted from its leaves and berries contains compounds that are believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an ancient remedy with potential modern-day applications.
Thriving in Mediterranean climates, Sweet bay prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate periods of drought once established. The plant’s hardiness and adaptability have allowed it to spread beyond its native range, becoming a valued addition to gardens and landscapes worldwide.
Overall, Laurus nobilis, or Sweet bay, stands out not only for its culinary and medicinal uses but also for its historical and cultural significance. Its enduring legacy is a testament to its versatility and the human desire to harness the benefits of the natural world.
Common Names
Eng: bay, bay laurel, grecian laurel, sweet bay, bay-leaf laurel, laurel, sweetbal-tree
Deu: echter lorbeerbaum, lorbeer, lorbeerbaum, lorbeerstrauch
Mlt: rand
Por: dafre, loureiro, louro
Swe: lager
Fra: laurier
Cym: arel, dail y cwrw, diawdwydd, diodwyd, llawrwydd, llawrwydden, llawryfen, llorwydden, pren llawryf
En: Sweet bay, Bay, Bay laurel, Bay-leaf laurel, Grecian laurel, Laurel, Bay tree, Sweetbal-Tree, Sweet Laurel, (Sweet) Bay leaf
Ab: Адаҧа
Af: Lourierboom
Sq: Dafina
Ar: غار, Rand, Waraq al-lauri, Waraq ghaar, Ghâr, رند, ورق اللوري, ورق غار, وَرَق غَار
Az: Nəcib dəfnə ağacı
Eu: Ereinotz
Be: Лаўр высакародны
Bs: Lovor
Bg: Лавър
Ca: Llorer, Llaurer
Zh: Yue gui, 月桂
Co: Addoru
Hr: Lovor
Cs: Vavřín vznešený
Da: Ægte Laurbær
Nl: Laurier
Eo: Nobla laŭro
Et: Harilik loorberipuu
Fi: Välimerenlaakeri, Laakeripuu
Fr: Laurier, Laurier vrai, Laurier-sauce, Laurier d’Apollon, Laurier noble, Laurier (noble)
Gl: Loureiro
De: Lorbeerbaum, Lorbeerstrauch, Echter Lorbeer, Echter Lorbeerbaum, Lorbeer
El: Δάφνη
He: ער אציל
Hu: Nemes babér
Id: Dafnah
Ga: Labhras
It: Alloro, Lauro, Alloro poetico, Lauro poetico, Lauro regale
Ja: Gekkeiju
Ko: 월계수
Lv: Dižciltīgais laurs
Li: Laurier
Lt: Kilnusis lauramedis
Lb: Lolber
Mk: Ловор
Ms: Dafnah
Mt: Rand
Gv: Laurys
No: Laurbær
Oc: Laurièr
Fa: برگ بو
Pl: Wawrzyn szlachetny
Pt: Loureiro, Louro, Dafre
Pt-br: Louro-comum, Louro-de-apolônio, Louro-europeu, Loureiro
Ro: Dafin
Ru: Лавр благородный
Sc: Laru
Sr: Ловор
Sk: Vavrín pravý
Es: Navadni lovor, Laurel comestible, Laurel común, Laurel, Laural
Sv: Lager
Zh-tw: 月桂
Tr: Akdeniz defnesi
Uk: Лавр благородний
Uz: Dafna (daraxt)
Vi: Nguyệt quế
Cy: Llawrwydden, Arel, Dail y Cwrw, Diawdwydd, Diodwyd, Llawrwydd, Llawryfen, Llorwydden, Pren Llawryf
Wo: Lóriye
Synonyms
- Laurus angusta (Raf.)
- Laurus nobilis var. latifolia (Risso)
- Laurus nobilis var. undulata (Meisn.)
- Laurus nobilis var. floribunda (Meisn.)
- Laurus undulata (Mill.)
- Laurus nobilis var. lanceolata (Meisn.)
- Laurus tenuifolia (Mill.)
- Laurus nobilis var. rotundifolia (Emb. & Maire)
- Laurus nobilis f. latifolia ((Risso) Maire)
- Laurus nobilis f. lanceolata (Meisn.)
- Laurus nobilis var. longifolia (Risso)
- Laurus nobilis var. angustifolia (Nees)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- France (native)
- Greece (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Azores (introduced)
- Baleares (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Krym (introduced)
- North Caucasus (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Transcaucasus (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Dec 6, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 29, 2019 by jose (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken Mar 2, 2021 by Cristina (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 27, 2021 by Rina Jeger (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 1, 2021 by Julia Kellermannová (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2022 by M G (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2021 by bouwe molenbuur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 11, 2018 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 2021 by thomas eldner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 17, 2019 by Pokotilo Olga (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 16, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 18, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 18, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 29, 2019 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 18, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Cyril Piou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 3, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034015)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:465049-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Laurus nobilis L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Tree
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]
Soil nutriments: 5