Genus of 2 species of evergreen shrubs and trees, native to the woods and rocky places of the Azores, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean regions. Laurus nobilis is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 12-15 m tall, with a conical shape and compact crown. Aromatic leaves, lanceolate or narrowly ovate, with wavy edges, shiny, usually dark green in colour. In spring, greenish yellow flowers appear, gathered in bunches, followed on female plants by black berries. The leaves are widely used in cooking to flavour and refine foods.
