Bay Laurel (Laurus Nobilis)
Plant Info:
Bay laurel is a pyramid-shaped tree or large shrub with aromatic, evergreen leaves and shiny gray bark. It can reach 60 ft (18.3 m) in height in its native range, but generally is much smaller, 3-10 ft (0.9-3.1 m) tall.
The leaves and berries of bay laurel contain the essential oils eugenol, cineol and geraniol, which account for the distinctive spicy aroma. Infusions are reputed to soothe the stomach and relieve flatulence. An oil pressed from the berries was once a popular liniment for arthritis and sore muscles, and still is used in perfumes, candles and soaps
Bay laurel is native to the southern Mediterranean region. It is grown commercially for its aromatic leaves in Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, and Mexico.
In the US northwest, the leaves of California bay (Umbellularia californica) are substituted for bay leaves in recipes (which is most likely what you receive in herb bottles), and in the southeast, red bay (Persea borbonia) leaves are an acceptable substitute. In India, "bay leaf" refers to the cassia tree (Cinnamomum cassia).