The real laurel and the cherry laurel belong to the genus of the laurel family, whose representatives are mostly evergreen and occur in different growth forms. The plants of the order Lauraceae used in the garden grow in a woody and shrub form.

The many varieties of the laurel family

The botanical relatives of laurel and cherry laurel include around 50 genera with almost 2500 distinguishable species worldwide. Many of them are native to tropical areas, the well-known representatives of the laurel family include bay leaves and cinnamon due to their use in the kitchen in this country. Economically important products from plant components and fruits of the laurel family are:

  • avocados
  • cinnamon bark
  • sassafras oil
  • rosewood oil
  • camphor

The real laurel as a spice and garden plant

In the Mediterranean area, real laurel is found in nature, which is why it has been integrated into Italian and Greek cuisine in the form of leaves for thousands of years. The real laurel is also mentioned in Greek mythology, for example Daphne turns into a laurel tree while fleeing from Apollo. Due to its strong importance as a spice and medicinal plant, the real laurel bears the sounding Latin name Laurus nobilis. In the Mediterranean region, it can reach heights of tree size of up to 10 meters. In this country, such a height cannot usually be reached, since the real laurel can usually only be overwintered as a potted plant due to its sensitivity to frost. The plant bears small green-yellow flowers, which develop into shiny blue-black berries.

The cherry laurel as a garden plant

The so-called cherry laurel is actually called laurel cherry and is botanically not directly related to the real laurel. Although the leaves of this plant cannot be harvested for use in the kitchen like the laurel, it is hardy in most Central European locations. This property has helped the cherry laurel to become widespread as a hedge plant. The plants do not shed their leaves in winter and thus offer an ideal privacy screen for the garden all year round.

tips and tricks

Although the varieties are not related to each other, real laurel and cherry laurel can be confused by laypeople. However, true laurel has a more upright and less branched habit, its leaves are narrower and less shiny than those of cherry laurel.

Category:

Trees