Description
L. nobilis – Bay Laurel – Bay Tree – Sweet Bay – True Laurel – This broadly conical tree or large shrub from the Mediterranean grows 10-50′ feet tall and 30′ feet wide.It produces aromatic, glossy, narrowly ovate, slightly wavy edged leaves, to 4″ long.In late spring to early summer it bears clusters of star shaped greenish yellow flowers, 1/4″ across, followed on female plants by broadly egg shaped green berries that ripen to dark purplish black, to ½” long.Leaves are often used as flavoring in cooking.Contact with foliage may aggravate skin allergies.
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade, sheltered from cold, drying winds.Tolerant of coastal conditions.
zones 8-11
