laurel Lauraceae Laurus
nobilis L.
symbol: LANO80
Leaf: Alternate, simple, entire or somewhat wavy margins, elliptical to lance-shaped, evergreen and somewhat leathery, 4 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide, spicy odor when crushed, yellow-green and shiny above, pale green below.
Flower: Species is dioecious; small but quite showy, both male and females are bright yellow-green, borne on short racemes appearing in early to mid-spring.
Fruit: Dark blue round drupe 1/2 inch long; mature in early fall.
Twig: Moderately stout, green to red-brown, somewhat ridged; buds are short and red-brown.
Bark: Smooth and pale gray.
Form: Generally a small pyramidal tree but can reach 60 feet tall.
Looks like: myrtle