Laurus nobilis L.
A much branched, dioecious, evergreen shrub or tree, 2 to 10 m tall. Leaves coriaceous, dark green, alternate, oblong-lanceolate or elliptical; 8 to 15 cm long. Margin entire, often wavy. Leaf surface covered in oily glands making it very aromatic when crushed. Flowers greenish-yellow, 4-petalled, about 7 mm across; in small umbels in the leaf axil. Fruit a black drupe about 1 cm long.
Local: Rare in Gibraltar. Found mainly in southern parts of the Rock, in particular The Mount gardens, above Engineer Road, and opposite the Naval Hospital.
Global: Found throughout the Mediterranean region.
Flowers from February, March to April.
Grows in woods and thickets; often planted.
The leaves are used for seasoning food and yield Oil of Laurel. They are often dried. Since classical times the leaves have been used for crowning heroes and poets.