LAUREL

The scientific name is Laurus nobilis, and

belong to the Laurel family Lauraceae.

NAME IN MORE LANGUAGES

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The original name in latin is Laurus nobilis.

In Spanish is called Laurel,lauro.

In English is called Bay, Laurel.

In Greek is called Dafne.

MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION
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The flowers of most species in this family are small and yellow.
Some species have bisexual flowers containing both male and female
organs.
Some other have unisexual flowers, with each flower having either male or
female organs.
The flowers of most species have six sepals(sepaloak), arranged in two
cycles.

CLASSICAL AUTHORS
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Homero Odisea IX 186

Hesodo Teog. XXX; Trab y das 435 ss
Pausanias VIII 20,2
Teofrasto II 1,3; II 5,6; III 7,3; IV 13,7
Virgilio 45-55
Ovidio Met. I 452-600
Dioscrides I,78; I 40
Plinio XIII 152-157; XV 130,134, 137; XXIV 132
Suetonio Galba I

ECOLOGY
Laurus nobilis is a widespread relic of the
laurel forests that originally covered
much of theMediterranean Basin when
the climate of the region was more
humid.

DRAWING OF THE PLANT

MYTHOLOGICAL SYMBOLISM
EUROPE:
The symbolism carried over to Roman culture, which
held the laurel as a symbol of victory.In the Bible, the
laurel is often an emblem of prosperity and fame. In
Christian tradition, it symbolizes the resurrection of
Christ.

USES
- Chemical constituents
The most abundant essential oil found in laurel is
cineole, also called eucalyptol. Both essential
and fatty oils are present in the fruit.
The fruit is pressed and water-extracted to obtain
these products.
Usually to maid perfums.
(...)

- Food:
The plant is the source of several popular herbs
and one spice used in a wide variety of recipes,
particularly among Mediterranean cuisines.
Most commonly, the aromatic leaves are added
whole to Italian pasta sauces..

- Traditional medicine
Aqueous extracts of bay laurel can also be
used as astringents and even as a reasonable
salve for open wounds (herida).
In massage therapy, the essential oil of bay laurel
is reputed to alleviate arthritis and rheumatism
while in aromatherapy, it is used to treat earaches
and high blood pressure.

DAFNE HISTORY
A Greek legend tells how the Daphne (laurel in Greek ), daughter of the river
Piraeus(hija del rio pirineo) and vowed(juro) never to marry , fled to the
mountains to escape the harassment(acoso) of the god(dios) Apollo .into a
laurel(la transformo en un laurel) , as shown in the sculptures of Gian Lorenzo
Bernini preserved in the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
Apollo devastated(desconsolado) by losing his loved , cut some branches(rama)
placed in a crown(corona) and laurel became sacred. Therefore laurel wreath is
the symbol that represented the god of Olympus, also associating winners and
poets. At the Olympic Games in Athens laurel given to the victors rose to the rank
of gods.Example, Julio Cesar.

LAUREL TEST IN LATIN-ENGLISH

Multi vomituris acetabula eius et folia lauri decem trita in
aqua bibenda inter cenam suadent:
Most people recommend that people with sick that the leaves of the laurels
worn in the water for drinking, the ten advise during the dinner
(Plinio, Historia Naturalis XX. 193)