Laurus
(the old Latin name of the European species). Laurel. ORD. Laurineae. This much-confused genus comprises but a couple of species of hardy evergreen trees, one of which is from the Mediterranean region, and the other a native of the Canary Islands. Flowers shortly pedunculate, fasciculate or shortly racemose. Berry ovoid. Leaves alternate, feather-veined. The Laurel was called Daphne by the Greeks, and was consecrated to priests and heroes, and used in sacrifices. The Bay will succeed in almost any soil. Cuttings inserted under a hand glass, in sandy soil, root readily, if attended to for shade and moisture. Seeds, also, are often produced where plants of the two sexes occur. L. Benzoin. See Lindera Benzoin.
L. nobilis (noble).* Common Laurel; Sweet Bay-tree. fl. yellowish, inconspicuous. Early spring. fr., berries very dark-purple, ripe in October. l. oblong-lanceolate, acute, veiny. h. 30ft. to 60ft. South Europe, 1562. A well-known, aromatic, evergreen tree or shrub. There are two or three unimportant varieties in cultivation, having variegated, curled, and Willow-shaped leaves.
L. Sassafras. See Sassafras officinale.