Laurus nobilis
Laurus nobilis
Defne
Aromatic evergreen shrub or tree, 2-15 m; dioecious. Leaves 3-10 x 2-4 cm, narrowly oblong-lanceolate to broadly ovate, acute or acuminate, somewhat wavy-margined, coriaceous. Male flowers with 8-12 stamens, filaments with stipitate glands near base. Female flowers often with 4 staminodes. Fruit 10-12 mm, globular to ellipsoid, black. Fl. 3-5. Coastal macchie, dense bushes mixed with Myrtus, Phillyrea and Erica arborea, scattered as underwood in Pinus brutia forest, rocky slopes, damp gorges, ancient settlements; naturalized and cultivated for ornament, s.l.-1200 m.
S. Europe , N.W. Africa, Cyrenaica, W. Syria, Crimea; often subspontaneous in W. Mediterranean. Medit. element.
