The foliage of this evergreen tree helped mark important ceremonies of early civilisations (hence its species epithet), while its aromatic leaves remain a much-loved culinary seasoning. Also known as Sweet Bay.

Native to the Mediterranean basin, where whole forests once dominated the region until about 10,000 years ago, and since very widely cultivated and spread worldwide. In Britain and Ireland it is a neophyte, widely naturalised from seed along southern coasts, especially sea cliffs and dunes, in England, Wales and Ireland, but rare further north.

Dioecious. Insect-pollinated. Fruit a drupe, bird-dispersed.

Medium evergreen (15-20m), usually an erect spire (bushy on cold or exposed sites), with dense dark foliage. Bark dark grey, smooth. Leaves 6-12cm, glossy and glabrous both sides, thin, with crinkled wavy margins, aromatic and spicy-warm with hints of clove and earthiness. Male trees bear small (1cm) yellow-green flowers in pairs by the leaf axils in spring; female flowers are similar, producing a small (12mm) yellow fruit ripening black. Holm Oak differs: felty leaf undersides. Strawberry-tree differs: regularly serrated leaf margins.

Hardy to about -5°C, thriving better in marginal sites when planted in the ground (rather than pot-grown) and when given shelter from cold winds. Prefers well-drained soils. Can be readily clipped and shaped.

No notable associations where introduced.

Generally healthy. Cold and waterlogging are main restrictions.

Ornamental, including topiary. Leaves for culinary seasoning, also edible when finally chopped.