What Tree Does the Bay Leaf Come From?

Known as "Laurus nobilis," the bay leaf tree is one of the world's oldest cultivated species. Throughout history, the bay leaf or laurel represented victory. The leaves are thick, glossy, dark-green and contain an oil used to enhance soups, stews and sauces. In ancient Greece, the winners of games received a laurel crown, and the symbol remains as part of the national emblem of Greece. Other members of the "lauracaea" plant family include cinnamon, sassafras and avocado.