Laurelia
(from Laurus, the Bay-tree; in allusion to the similarly-scented aromatic leaves). SYN. Pavonia. ORD. Monimiaceae. A small genus (only a couple of species) of tall greenhouse trees, exhaling a powerful aromatic odour when bruised; one is a native of Chili, and the other of New Zealand. Flowers polygamomonoecious or dioecious, in axillary cymes or racemes, which are shorter than the leaves. Leaves opposite, coriaceous, entire or serrate-toothed. The under-mentioned species is included, by some authors, under Atherosperma. (which see for culture).
L. novae-zelandiae (New Zealand). fl. in axillary racemes, silky, 1/4in. in diameter. l. petiolate, 1 1/2in. to 2 1/2in. long, ovate or oblong, obtuse, obscurely serrate. Branches whorled. Trunk (in its native country) 150ft. high, 3ft. to 7ft. in diameter, with buttresses 15ft. thick at the base. New Zealand.