Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Laurales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Lauraceae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Laurus L., Sp. Pl. 369 (1753)
Type Taxon:
Laurus nobilis L.
 Description

Dioecious or occasionally ☿ trees with several trunks, or large shrubs, aromatic, evergreen. Lvs with pinnate venation. Fls in axillary umbels enclosed by a globose involucre of bracts in bud. Perianth with 4 subequal segments, not accrescent or forming a tube enclosing fr. Stamens usually 12 in 3–4 whorls; filaments each with a stipitate gland on each side, rarely stamens of outermost 2 rows eglandular; anthers 2-valved, introrse. ♀ fls often with 4 staminodes. Style short. Fr. a berry, seated on scarcely enlarged calyx tube; skin single-layered.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Laurus L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Total1
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.