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The Herb Society of America

9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd.

Kirtland, Ohio 44094

 herbsociety.org

440-256-0514

© 2008 The Herb Society of America

The Herb Society of America

9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd.

Kirtland, Ohio 44094

 

© 2008 The Herb Society of America

• Native to Asia minor

• Evergreen tree or shrub

• Glossy black fruit

• Oval shaped leaves

• Greenish-yellow flowers

• Reddish-black shoots

Photo by Susan Betz

Description

Bay - Plant Parts

• Family: Lauraceae

• Genus: Laurus

• Specific Epithet: nobilis

• Common names• Laurel

• Bay tree

• Grecian bay

• Sweet bayL. n. ‘Rotundifolia’Photo ©2009 Rexford Talbert

• Law-russ NO-bil-iss

• Laurus -Latin name for tree

• nobilis – Latin word for famous

• The ancient Greek name for this plant was dáphnee. Named after the nymph Daphne. L. n. ‘Holy Land’

Photo ©2009 Rexford Talbert

What’s In a Name?

Photo by Henry Oakley

Resting on your laurels means you are relying on your past achievements.

Look to your laurels means that you have competition.

LaurelThe classic Laurel has won a place In the annals of the human raceAnd stands for success in all the arts.In formal gardens she imparts An elegant note, She also knows How to garnish hotels, and auto

shows, Serves as garlands where pictures are

hung,Decorates halls where songs are

sung.Her accomplishments are never-

ending, She takes a hand a bar rum blending And, despite her regal manner and

looks, Talented Laurel helps the cooks.

L. Young

• Poets, scholars, and athletes honored with crowns of bay leaves

• Ward off witchcraft

• Protect from lightning Photo ©2009

Rexford Talbert

• Symbol of victory and achievement

Plays a prominent role in Greek culture.

• Sacred to Apollo, Greek god of poetry and philosophy

• The roof of Apollo’s temple was made of bay leaves

•Ancient Greek name for this plant is dáphnee

• Main components of the bay’s essential oil

• 8-cineole

• alpha-terapinyl acetate or formate

• trace amounts of linalool and other chemicals

• Leaves contain:

• calcium

• potassium

• vitamin C L. n. ‘Salicifolia’Photo © 2009 Rexford Talbert

• Cuttings• suckers from base• take in the early

morning• place in rooting

medium immediately after removal from the stock plant

• SeedsPhoto © 2009 Dorothy Bonitz

• Avoid temperatures below 38 ⁰F.

• Avoid waterlogged soils

• Winter indoors in some areas

Trim bay plants in the summer to maintain their shape.

•Prune suckers continually to develop tree and topiary forms.

© 2005 Luigi Rignanese

Theresa Mieseler © 2009

•Pests• scale

• grasshoppers

•Diseases• powdery mildew

• Pick leaves early in the morning

• Dry quickly under weights

• Harvest as needed year round

Photo © 2005 Luigi Rignanese

• Fresh leaves• keep moist in the

refrigerator

• Dry leaves• keep in an airtight

container• store in a cool dark

place• store for one year

when using for culinary

Photo © 2009 Susan Belsinger

• Culinary

• Crafting

• Medicinal

Photo © 2009 Pat Crocker

Rub or crush fresh leaves

Add leaves when cooking begins

Remove whole leaves after cooking

Bay is an essential herb for slow cooking techniques because it releases its flavor slowly.

Stock Soups and

stews Sauces Marinades Stuffing Pickles

The major contribution of bay to foods is its fragrance, sweet but not cloying, pervasive but not overpowering.

Use bay in combination with:

• Allspice

• Cardamom

• Garlic

• Lovage

• Marjoram

• Oregano

• Parsley

• Sage

• Savory

• Thyme

Wreaths

Potpourri

Decorations

Art projects

Ornaments  Photo ©2009 Susan

Betz

Photo ©2009 Susan Betz

• Can be used fresh or dried

• Can be bought in bulk throughout the year

• Dried bay leaves can be stored for many years when used for crafts

Disclaimer: Information is provided as an educational service. The Herb Society of Disclaimer: Information is provided as an educational service. The Herb Society of America can not advise, recommend, or prescribe herbs for medicinal use. Please America can not advise, recommend, or prescribe herbs for medicinal use. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Historically used for:• Digestion aid• Bronchitis• Influenza• Antiseptic• Arthritis• Headaches

• Ornamental

• Hedges

• Focal points

• Topiaries

• Containers

Photo © 2009 Theresa Mieseler

Photo © 2009 Pat Crocker