Lauraceae
Aromatic trees and shrubs, source of spices and avocados.
Lauraceae, or the laurel family, is a plant family comprising about 2850 known species in about 45 genera worldwide. They are dicotyledons occurring mainly in warm temperate and tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America. Many are aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs, but some, such as Sassafras, are deciduous. The family includes the true laurel and its closest relatives, and has played a significant role in the spice trade, particularly genera like Cinnamomum, which produce aromatic oils used in cooking, perfumery, and traditional medicine.
Quick Facts
- Known species
- about 2850
- Genera
- about 45
- Distribution
- warm temperate and tropical regions worldwide
- Key genera
- Cinnamomum
- Camphora
- Laurus
- Persea
- Notable species
- avocado (Persea americana)
- cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
- bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)
- Fossil range
- common since the Cretaceous
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Lauraceae are an ancient lineage of flowering plants, with fossils common since the Cretaceous. Their present-day distribution reflects a combination of historical biogeography and later dispersal; although once interpreted as a classic Gondwanan pattern, subsequent work suggests some distribution patterns are more recent. The family includes both evergreen and deciduous trees, with the genus Cassytha being unique as parasitic vines. Many species contain high concentrations of essential oils, some valued for spices and perfumes, while others are highly toxic. The fruits are drupes, one-seeded fleshy fruits with a thin endocarp, resembling a berry; in some species the fruit is partly covered by a cupule formed from the calyx tube, giving an acorn-like appearance.
Did You Know?
- Lauraceae flowers are protogynous, often with a complex flowering system to prevent inbreeding.
- Laurel wilt disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Raffaelea lauricola, was found in the southeast United States in 2002.
- Some Lauraceae species have adapted to swampy conditions by growing pneumatophores, roots that project above periodic flood levels.
More in Trees & Timber
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced