Common Name: LAUREL FAMILY Habit: [Shrub], tree, [parasitic vine], generally evergreen, aromatic; [dioecious or +- so]. Leaf: generally alternate, simple, unlobed [(lobed)], entire, generally thick; stipules 0. Inflorescence: [(flowers 1, head), raceme, panicle], umbel-like, enclosed by bracts [or not]. Flower: generally bisexual, generally +- yellow to +- green; hypanthium often calyx-tube-like, perianth parts in 2(3) whorls of 3, +- sepal-like; stamens [(3)]9[(12)], in whorls of 3, inner often with 2 stalked orange glands at base, 1 [or more] whorls often staminodes [or not], anthers [2] 4-celled, opening by uplifting valves; pistil 1, simple, ovary generally superior, chamber 1, ovule 1, style 1, very short. Fruit: +- berry, often with swollen hypanthium, sepals. Genera In Family: +- 54 genera, +- 3500 species: widespread in tropics, less so in temperate; some cultivated (Laurus, laurel, bay; Persea, avocado; Cinnamomum, cinnamon, camphor). eFlora Treatment Author: Henk van der Werff Scientific Editor: Thomas J. Rosatti.
Common Name: LAUREL Habit: Dioecious. Inflorescence: in leaf axils, umbel. Flower: unisexual; perianth parts 4; anthers 2-celled. Etymology: (Ancient name)
Laurus nobilis L.
WAIF Stem: < 10[20] m. Leaf: 6--11 cm, 3--4 cm wide, narrow- to wide-elliptic; hairs 0 or sparse-appressed abaxially, 0 adaxially; petiole < blade. Inflorescence: +- 5-flowered, (1 or) > 1 along leafless short-shoots. Flower: perianth parts 2--3 mm, elliptic. Staminate Flower: stamens (8)12--30, inner whorls with 2 stalked glands at base. Pistillate Flower: pistil 3 mm, glabrous, staminodes generally 4 . Fruit: ellipsoid, +- 1.5 cm, +- 1 cm diam, dark purple to +- black. Chromosomes: 2n=36,42,48,54,60,66,72. Ecology: Rich, well-drained soil; Elevation: < 10 m. Bioregional Distribution: SCo (Orange Co.); Distribution Outside California: native to southern Europe, Canary Islands. Flowering Time: Feb--Apr Note: Cult; bay leaves as spice; laurel of history. Unabridged Note: Cult; leaves (bay leaves) used as spice; source of laurel wreath in Greek, Roman mythology, "laureate" in English. Jepson eFlora Author: Henk van der Werff Index of California Plant Names (ICPN; linked via the Jepson Online Interchange) Previous taxon: Laurus Next taxon: Persea
Citation for this treatment: Henk van der Werff 2012, Laurus nobilis, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=30367, accessed on April 24, 2024.
Citation for the whole project: Jepson Flora Project (eds.) 2024, Jepson eFlora, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/, accessed on April 24, 2024.
No expert verified images found for Laurus nobilis.
Geographic subdivisions for Laurus nobilis:
SCo (Orange Co.)
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