Laurus nobilis L.

Spice Flower In the field In the field 2 In the University

Family: LAURACEAE

Genus: Laurus

Catalan common name: llor. Llorer.

Spanish common name: Laurel.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): East Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Aromatic. Edible or foodstuffs. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Rock crevices and cliff faces. Garden plants. Shady and humid fields. Cultivated specie.

Characteristics: The laurel is a tree with lanceolate, coriaceous, aromatic, dark green leaves. The flowers are white; they appear in umbels in the axils of the leaves. This tree has been cultivated from time immemorial; therefore its original distribution is confusing. However, we can be quite sure that it is a native tree in our flora because it lives in very natural places: in the cracks in rocky walls; sporadically it can become abundant. It is probably the remains of woods that grew in our islands millions of years ago.