Ovid relates the story of Daphne, metamorphosed into a Bay tree by her father, the river god Peneus, to avoid the amorous advances of Apollo on his triumphant return from killing the ancient serpent, Python.
►▪◄ Identification ►▪◄
Bay is native to ... Read review
Advantages: easy to grow, evergreen, many uses Disadvantages: mentioned within review
...of Daphne, metamorphosed into a Bay tree by her father, the river god Peneus, to avoid the amorous advances of Apollo on his triumphant return from killing the ancient serpent, Python.
►▪◄ Identification ►▪◄
Bay is native to the Mediterranean region and has the latin name "Laurus nobilis" according to Linnaean classification: Laurus = "praise", nobilis ... ...as Sweet Bay, Bay Laurel, Roman Bay, Roman Laurel or Daphne.
Bay is a vigorous, densely branched evergreen with dark grey or black trunk. It has aromatic elongated, shiny, hairless, dark-green leaves up to about 13 cm (5 inches) long and up to 5 cm (2 inches) across which are carried on short dark red stems. The leaves have small oil glands on the underside. In spring fragrant cream greenish-white, cushion shaped flowers with tiny ... more
Ovid relates the story of Daphne, metamorphosed into a Bay tree by her father, the river god Peneus, to avoid the amorous advances of Apollo on his triumphant return from killing the ancient serpent, Python.
►▪◄ Identification ►▪◄
Bay is native to the Mediterranean region and has the latin name "Laurus nobilis" according to Linnaean classification: Laurus = "praise", nobilis = 'famous', excellent or 'notable'. The plant is also known as Sweet Bay, Bay Laurel, Roman Bay, Roman Laurel or Daphne.
Bay is a vigorous, densely branched evergreen with dark grey or black trunk. It has aromatic elongated, shiny, hairless, dark-green leaves up to about 13 cm (5 inches) long and up to 5 cm (2 inches) across which are carried on short dark red stems. The leaves have small oil glands on the underside. In spring fragrant cream greenish-white, cushion shaped flowers with tiny petals appear; these are much loved by pollinating bees. The female flowers each develop a single small, dark coloured berry containing a seed. All parts of the plants are pungent, more especially when crushed, heated or burned.
Under the right conditions, Bay can grow to 12 m (forty feet) in height with a spread of up to 10 m (thirty feet) even in this country. The plant tends to sucker, especially if the roots are disturbed, giving it a bushy and slightly pyramidal appearance, rather than growing as a single stemmed tree. This enables it to quickly colonise a large area.
The plant is often clipped into a topiary shape: sometimes a pyramid, sometimes a spiral or a standard pompom. The flexible trunk can be trained into a variety of shapes: more often than not it is twisted into a corkscrew spiral, or plaited (3 plants needed for this). Fairly rapid growth ensures the bush keeps a tight green shape although, as with all evergreens, some leaves are lost in the spring during the period of the most rapid growth.
►▪◄ Cultivation ►▪◄
◄ My experience ►
It's generally recommended that Bay is a fairly tender plant that should be protected in winter; in my experience it can withstand several inches of snow right up in the north east of Scotland. Ours may be a particularly tough specimen, so I'd be inclined to take note of where they are kept at your local garden centre. If their Bays are kept indoors during the winter, you should probably do the same.
When we moved south we visited the town of Romsey and one of the first trees I took notice of, in a garden near the Abbey, was a Bay in flower. It was huge, the height of the house! Where we live now these trees grow in the parks, and many are clipped to shape, which needs to be done twice during the growing season. Not only does this tidy up the topiary but it also encourages dense growth.
Every spring we find several seedlings in our garden, spread by birds that have feasted on the almost black berries. We can buy little plants for around £1.50 from our local Saturday market. These insignificant plants about 6 inches (15 cm) tall, are nothing like those £150 topiary specimens neatly trimmed into a diamond or pyramid, but in a couple of years each will be tall enough to grace the most splendid of doorways when planted in a tub.
Last year I sent eight seedlings from our garden to a relative who dreamed of having a pair of plaited 'standard' Bays in tubs either side of her front door. Six survived and she's planted three close together in each of two tubs and let them grow, stripping off the side shoots to encourage height and enabling her to intertwine the stems to realise her dreams.
Bay is best grown on fairly well drained but enriched soil, as found in its Mediterranean home.
►◄ Variety ►◄
There is a splendid example of Laurus nobilis 'Aurea', the Golden leaved Bay in the RHS garden at Hyde Hall in Essex. Growing on heavy Essex clay and perched on a hilltop where it is exposed to cold north and easterly winter winds this is an example of the possible, and unexpected, potential hardiness of the species.
►◄ Propagation ►◄
► Seeds ◄
The best are the self-set seeds that grow where they are most suited: those landing in the wrong place won't succeed. If you can get hold of some seeds, it's best to keep them in the fridge for a while (up to twelve weeks is recommended). In the spring, spread the seeds on the surface of barely moist, well-drained compost. Make sure you cover them very thinly with the same compost and do not allow them to stay damp, or they will rot. Germination time is generally three to four weeks although it can take several months.
► Cuttings ◄
Heeled cuttings of ripe wood, between 9 and 15 cm (4 - 6 inches) long, should be taken in late summer. Strip off the lower leaves, leaving only two or three at the tip, and insert them into a pot containing potting compost, place the pot away from direct sunlight. It's important that the cuttings are kept in a humid environment, so use a heated propagator if you have one. In the south it may be possible to use either a cold frame or cloches. It may take up to a year for the cuttings to take root.
► Layering ◄
Do this in the spring. Simply bend a lower branch so that it touches the ground. Nick the lower part with a sharp knife, push in onto the surface of the soil, and cover with a layer of soil or compost. Then, either peg it down with wire or weight it with a stone. It will take between six and twelve months to take root, so be patient. When you're sure the stem has successfully rooted just cut if off from the main plant and carefully transplant it where you want it to grow.
►◄ Pests and Diseases ►◄
The only insects in our garden that attack Bay are vine weevils and scale insects, although it can become infected with powdery mildew and leaf spot, the leaves may be targeted by tortrix moth caterpillars.
I have one unusual specimen that I believe may have been attacked by a fungus, giving the leaves pale white stripes. I'm keeping an eye on it and may try to take layered cuttings to see if this is a viable mutation.
►▪◄ Uses of Bay ►▪◄
If you don't grow a Bay it's easy to buy the dried leaves at most supermarkets, remember to take a look in the freezer sections because some suppliers now sell frozen herbs.
►◄ Cooking ►◄
Bay is the only plant of its genus to be used in cooking. The older leaves, which contain very volatile oil, are used either fresh or dried to add a strong flavour to casseroles, soups and stews. The leaf is discarded, not eaten. Added to pulses Bay gives flavour as well as reducing flatulence.
Bay is tied into a bundle with parsley and thyme to make a Bouquet Garni. Other herbs can be added to suit personal taste or as they become freshly available.
We have added a bunch of Bay twigs to a barbecue, when appropriate, it crackles and burns quickly because of the high oil content and gives just the right flavour to what we're cooking, whether meat or fish.
Push some bay leaves into a canister of plain flour; this will give added flavour to savoury pastries and pies.
►◄ Household ►◄
Bay can be hung in an open window as an insect repellent and also used to line bookcases, protecting precious volumes from silverfish attack. It is a more masculine-scented moth repellent than lavender.
Leaves, either fresh or dried can be added to canisters of flour to keep weevils 'at bay' also adding flavour to a savoury pastry, in the same way as vanilla pods can be used to flavour a jar of caster sugar.
Burning readily because of its high oil content, Bay can be used straight from the bush to help light a household fire or give scent to a room.
►▪◄ Myth, Magic, Herbal and Language ►▪◄
Ah, it's time we went back to poor Apollo, left looking at a Bay tree where he'd previously been pursuing the love of his life.
To demonstrate his lasting love for Daphne, Apollo made himself a crown of Bay leaves and declared that the tree was sacred. He gave it magical and protective powers that could be transferred to those wearing or using its leaves and branches. Apollo's son Aesculapius was the God of Medicine, and hence the Bay was confirmed by the Greeks as having curative powers. Able to ward off lightening, the thunderbolt of the Gods, Bay wood was often used in roofing, and sometimes a cut leafy branch was attached to the ridge or pinnacle of a roof, or carried for protection during electrical storms.
Eaten by the Pythian priestess to aid prophecy if you place five Bay leaves beneath your pillow you will dream of your future partner or be assured inspirational and meaningful dreams. Bay leaves are mildly narcotic, decoctions have been used to encourage menstruation and terminate pregnancy, so care should be taken during those precious nine months.
Bay leaves can be used as an infusion to aid digestion, to treat flatulence and calm hysteria; added to a bath the same infusion can ease cystitis and menstrual problems. As a hair rinse this will help fight dandruff. Externally it can be used to treat rheumatism, strains and sprains and for skin irritation. An infusion of crushed berries is reported by Culpepper to be effective against snake and insect bite.
Bay is a protector, plant a tree near your home to ward off evil spirits, ensure harmony and prevent sickness. Leafed branches were used to sprinkle holy water and to bless musical instruments, burned with sandalwood Bay will lift curses, purify and protect a home, keeping evil spirits 'at bay'. The oil, mixed into wax for candles and burned near Candlemass brings purity and light.
Apollo is said to have started the Pythian Games, forerunners of the Olympics when winners were awarded victors wreath of 'Bay Laurel'. Worn by Roman emperors the same berried wreath, crown or garland was later awarded those achieving excellence in education, the bacca laurea (berry of Laurus nobilis) giving rise to the term 'baccalaureate' and the word 'bachelor', because these highly educated men were also expected to remain undistractedly unmarried. Poets Laureate were given the title because they were awarded 'Laurels' (from the Latin Laurus) acknowledging excellence; however 'resting on ones laurels' implies complacence and a reliance on past glory.
►◄ … and finally ►◄
Laurus, from which the names Lawrence, Laura and variations are derived, ensures the bearer will be honoured, famous; his or her life will be blessed by Apollo.
◄▪▪►▪◄▪▪►▪◄▪▪►▪◄▪▪► Important Warning ◄▪▪►▪◄▪▪►▪◄▪▪►▪◄▪▪►
The use of a common or local name for plants, instead of referring to the Latin name, can sometimes lead to confusion. In this instance the name may be confused with that of Laurel, a popular hedging shrub. The species are significantly different although they have a similar common name.
Unlike 'Bay Laurel' (Laurus nobilis), the hedging shrub "Cherry Laurel" (Prunus laurocerasus), which has much larger, glossy, and mid to light green leaves growing on green stems; bearing candles (or spikes) of white flowers in spring and clusters of large black cherry-like stone fruits IS NOT EDIBLE.
The non-fragrant leaves of this plant give off toxic cyanide gas when crushed or heated. These leaves fuelled the killing jars of bygone insect collectors; if you carry freshly cut hedge clippings of "Cherry Laurel" in a closed car you may become drowsy ~ I can confirm this from personal and unpleasant experience.
►▪◄ References ►▪◄
Personal experience ~ invaluable!
RHS Encyclopaedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Malcolm Stuart. Caxton Press.
▪◄Plant information►▪
Garden Action http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_3_bay2.asp RHS online, What's On. http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/hydehall/archive/hydehallpom04dec.asp
▪◄ Herbal, Folklore and legends ►▪
TREE MYTHOLOGY http://www.mystical-www.co.uk/trees/treesb.htm#BAY FAO. UN. http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/DOCREP/005/Y4351E/y4351e06.htm Tree Legends http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/flowers/pcd40.html herbalism http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/herbalism/38547/1
Advantages: good to look and and nice to use Disadvantages: a bit costly
...Garden Centre.
I puchased two Bay trees,
Bay is classed as a herb .
They cost £10.99 each ,good value i thought as they were three feet high.
They are evergreen and grow into a pyramid shape with aromatic
slightly waxy leaves.
I re-potted them into 18 inch pots containing John Innes number 3
They like a sunny but sheltered spot in the open garden or kept in tubs.
No pruning is necessary for shrubs grown in the garden.
but tub grown specimens ... ...If you add a dried Bay leaf it will keep them away!
The Bay is generally disease free.
The only problem that may occur is that it may be infested with scale insects,which make the plant sticky and sooty.
I have not come across this problem and hope inever do it sounds scary.
After two years both plants are still growing strong,but slow,
and trouble free.
I have given the cuttings away as gifts.
They set off the front entrance a treat.
I havn't ...
ragdoll 27.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bay
Advantages: tasty addition to stews and cassorole Disadvantages: maybe to strong for your taste
Bay is an everygreen herb which grows like a shrub, it can be grown in open spaces or in tubs. The flowers of the bay are yellow and it will flower in may. The best way to get a bay plant is to buy one from a garden centre for around 99p depending on the size. I also like to get my herbs from bootsales where you can pick them up from 25p so saves money.
When your bay plant is well established in the pot re-plant it outside. It likes to be in a sunny ... ...during the following spring. Bay is a native to the east mediterranean but have been grown in europe for years. They are a very popular herb to grow in your herb garden as they have a good use in cookery. You can use the leaves dried or fresh. Bay leaves have a very strong aromatic scent and the best way to dry the leaves is in the dark, this way they don't lose their colour. They can be stored in an airtight jar after the are dried, but in summer ...
Sunnysmiles 02.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bay
Did you know the bay tree is a laurel ? I did not till today. There are several species of the bay/laurel tree Sweet Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
The sweet laurel bay laurus noblius although first found in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean has grown in Britain since thec16c. This laurus nobilius grows as a small tree about to about 25 foot, in warm countries it will grow taller. This tree has a smooth bark. It is an evergreen, the leaves a narrow oval ... ...dried and stored for use.
Bay leaves can be used in cookery flavouring soups, stews, fish, and pickles.
The flavour is quite bitter,
If you buy dried bay leaves they might not be this plant but the American California bay (Umbellularia californica) The word Bacca laureate means laurel berry this word is used to describe the exam equivalent to an A level.
The bay laurel tree leaves were used in ancient Greece to make a laurel wreath which the ...
mumsymary 22.10.2006 (21.01.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bay
Advantages: looks great Disadvantages: expensive to buy if big
...tenner for an established Bay plant.A lot of money but it has a multitude of uses in the kitchen and should live for a lot of years if looked after well.
I thought therefore it would be a long term investment as Bay
is useful in casserole dishes , stews , sauces , curries and the like . Bay can also be cooked with roast meat and is excellent both dried and fresh in my experience .
It is not hardy though and so definately needs protection over ... ...is not hard to grow really and looks great in pots and containers on the patio and balcony. I grow mine on the balcony of my flat and it does very well though they do need protection from cold biting winds which can damage the leaves .
The thing is not to overwater them in the winter but in contrast make sure they don't dry out in hot dry weather.
On the plus side specimen's can be clipped and trained into all manner of shapes and so it's height ...
Gardenex 12.01.2001 (02.02.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Bay
Advantages: Great for preventing fleas, smooth glossy coat. Disadvantages: The smell.
Many of you may know that keeping a dog can be hard work with bathing, grooming, worming, de-fleaing being high on the priority list when caring for you dog. So dog hygiene products are essential when it comes to treating and preventing things like fleas and worms.
As many of you know I own a dog, and she can be very high maintenance as it is without the added worry of fleas. Touch wood my dog has never had fleas, only the odd tick.
I use frontline to keep fleas at bay, but I do like to have other precautions in place to ensure I never have to deal with fleas. I have found the perfect solution Bob Martins flea shampoo.
THE PRODUCT
This is designed to treat flea infestations and keep them at bay, it is very easy to use as it is that same as any other dog shampoo, all you do as apply it and then rinse it is as simple as that ...
Advantages: small, powerful, comfortable, reliable, led lights, led indicators Disadvantages: not as many bits as I'd have liked also would have liked a lock function
at most angles.
Changing the rotation is just a thumb movement so you don't need a second hand or even need to release the grip. Whether its tightening or loosening is shown with a little green led which shows which direction the driver is turning (in or out). This I found very useful. Something which would have been useful on larger drills.
It also has this incredibly useful work light under the bit. This shines a concentrated light on the spot where you are pointing the driver meaning you can see those pesky screw heads even in the darkest cupboards or engine bays.
It feels like it will run forever which is useful because I have a million more jobs for it! Superb bit (pun intended) of kit! ...
