Laurus nobilis Bay

Laurus nobilis, Bay, is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region of Europe where it exists today as a Tertiary relict species of the evergreen forests that once clothed Europe. Good examples can be seen in the laurel forests of the Canary Islands. Bay was the laurel that formed the decorative wreaths around the necks of the Greek heroes but it is also famous for its aromatically scented leaves which have been used in cookery for centuries. It is often grown outside its native range, but it only does well in a relatively mild climate free of extensive frosts and in Britain it does best near the sea. It is dioecious and produces clusters of cream coloured flowers in late Spring which, on female plants, give rise to glossy, black berries. The berries are eaten by blackbirds and other thrushes and this provides an effective means of seed dispersal. It is not uncommon in West Glamorgan and although it is often planted it  can be found naturalised in wooded or scrub areas occasioanlly.

Neophyte