Sweet Bay – Laurus nobilis

Common Name: Sweet Bay, Grecian Laurel, Bay Tree

Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis, LAW-rus NO-bil-is

Decorative Life: Many weeks to months.

Availability: Year Round

Unlikely sensitive to ethylene.

• Member of the Lauraceae (laurel family).
• Native to the Mediterranean region.
• Interesting relatives include camphor, cinnamon and avocado.

• Flowers are inconspicuous.
• Branches with leathery leaves cut to various lengths.
• Plant is an evergreen broadleaf tree, classed as a dicotyledon.
• Has aromatic foliage.

34-40F.

• In antiquity, laurel branches were made into garlands symbolizing victory or accomplishment.
• The specific epithet name nobilis means famous or noble.
• For those Chain of Life Network Members wanting more detailed information about the florists’ greens industry, it is highly recommended that Robert Stamps’ article entitled Florists’ Botanicals (2001) be read.
• Contains allergenic sesquiterpene lactones indicating that some individuals may be contact allergic to this species resulting in the onset of various degrees of dermatitis.