Common name for the family Lauraceae, trees and shrubs found chiefly in tropical Southeast Asia and America; most are evergreen. The true laurel (Laurus nobilis), also called bay or sweet bay, is native to the Mediterranean, and is the source of bay leaf, a seasoning.

Laurel symbolized victory and merit to the ancients. This large, attractive tree is thickly covered with glossy, narrow dark-green leaves about 2 to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide.The thick, leathery leaves have wavy, somewhat variable margins. The greenish yellow flowers are without petals and not very ornamental. Pruning out the lower limbs and rounding the top creates an elegant appearance. The bark is shiny gray, and the fruit is a dark purple to black one-seeded berry about 1/2 inch long.

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