Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis

1. Identification and origin

The bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), belonging to the Lauraceae family, is a tree or shrub species native to the Mediterranean region. It is an aromatic plant of great historical and cultural importance, used since Antiquity as a symbol of honour and victory, in addition to being widely cultivated for culinary, ornamental and medicinal purposes.

2. Economic importance

Bay laurel leaves are used as a seasoning in gastronomy, fresh or dried, being one of the most consumed aromatic herbs in Europe. The plant is also valued in the essential oils, cosmetics and phytotherapy industry. The bay laurel is also widely used in gardens and hedges due to its elegant bearing and resistance. Commercial production is concentrated mainly in the Mediterranean region.

3. Botanical characterisation

An evergreen tree or shrub, slow-growing, able to reach 5–15 m in height. The leaves are simple, leathery, lanceolate, glossy and very aromatic. The flowers are small, pale yellow, grouped in axillary inflorescences. The fruit is an ovoid drupe, black when ripe. The root system is robust and well adapted to dry and stony soils.

4. Soil and climate requirements

The bay laurel adapts well to Mediterranean climates, with hot dry summers and mild winters. It tolerates light frosts, but is sensitive to prolonged intense cold. It prefers well-drained soils of medium texture, rich in organic matter, with pH between 6.0 and 7.5. It withstands periods of drought, although it benefits from moderate irrigation in drier climates.

5. Main pests

• Scale insects (Coccus hesperidum, Saissetia oleae): honeydew and sooty mould.
• Aphids (Aphis spp.): leaf curling and reduced vigour.
• Mites (Tetranychus spp.): chlorosis and fine webbing in dry conditions.
• Bay leaf fly (Phytomyza lauricola): galleries in young leaves.
• Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.): root galls and plant decline.

6. Main diseases

• Leaf spot (Colletotrichum spp., Phyllosticta spp.): irregular lesions and leaf drop.
• Root rots (Phytophthora spp.): wilt and plant death in waterlogged soils.
• Cankers and branch necrosis (Botryosphaeria spp.): branch dieback and decline.
• Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.): white coating in hot and dry conditions.
• Post-harvest rots in stored leaves (Botrytis cinerea).

7. General crop management

It includes planting in well-drained and sunny locations, formative and cleaning pruning to improve air circulation, moderate irrigation in dry periods and monitoring of scale insects and mites. The removal of infested leaves and branches reduces the pressure of pests and diseases. Leaf harvesting should be done selectively, preferably on adult and healthy plants.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database. Laurus nobilis – pests and diseases.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium. Laurus nobilis – datasheets.
• Rivera, D., et al. (2014). Edible and Aromatic Plants of the Mediterranean. Springer.
• Pignatti, S., Guarino, R., & La Rosa, M. (2017). Flora d’Italia (2.ª ed.). Edagricole.
• Baser, K. H. C., & Buchbauer, G. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press.