Laurus nobilis (Bay laurel)

Small evergreen shrubby tree with dark leathery painted leaves and dying yellow small flowers. Bay was the ceremonial laurel of the ancient Greeks and Romans, symbolising wisdom and glory, and supposedly protective against lightening. Bay leaves have an important culinary use and form one of the herbs in bouquet garni. The berries contain an oil used for manufacturing toilet soap and has been used in medicinal ointments. They have also been used for treating alopecia (baldness). The wood has been used for smoking meet and cheese, to impart an aromatic flavour.