DAPHNE FAMILY
Laurus nobilis(LAUREL, SWEET BAY)
(Defne. Tehnel) (Lorbeerbaum)
Lauraeeae
Evergreen aromatic, dioecious shrubs or trees. Stem much-branched, up to 15 m. Leaves alternate, oblong-lanceolate to broadly ovate, glandular-punctate. Flowers in axillary clusters, small. Perianth greenish-yellow, 4-6-lobed. Ovary superior. Fruit a globular to ellipsoid berry, black. Leaves are used for food seasoning; fruits for bay oil production. Potential ornamental. Fl. March-May. Coastal macchie, dense bushes mixed with Myrtus, Phillyrea and Erica arborea, scattered as underwood in Pinus brutia forest, rocky slopes, damp gorges, ancient settlements, s.l.
Türkiye, S. Europe (Mainly E.), N. W Africa, Cyrenaica, W. Syria, Crimea;
