hsa guide to bay
DESCRIPTION
The Herb Society of America's 2009 Guide to the Herb of the Year-BayTRANSCRIPT
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The Herb Society of America
9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd.
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
herbsociety.org
440-256-0514
© 2008 The Herb Society of America
The Herb Society of America
9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd.
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
© 2008 The Herb Society of America
• Native to Asia minor
• Evergreen tree or shrub
• Glossy black fruit
• Oval shaped leaves
• Greenish-yellow flowers
• Reddish-black shoots
Photo by Susan Betz
Description
Bay - Plant Parts
• Family: Lauraceae
• Genus: Laurus
• Specific Epithet: nobilis
• Common names• Laurel
• Bay tree
• Grecian bay
• Sweet bayL. n. ‘Rotundifolia’Photo ©2009 Rexford Talbert
• Law-russ NO-bil-iss
• Laurus -Latin name for tree
• nobilis – Latin word for famous
• The ancient Greek name for this plant was dáphnee. Named after the nymph Daphne. L. n. ‘Holy Land’
Photo ©2009 Rexford Talbert
What’s In a Name?
Photo by Henry Oakley
Resting on your laurels means you are relying on your past achievements.
Look to your laurels means that you have competition.
LaurelThe classic Laurel has won a place In the annals of the human raceAnd stands for success in all the arts.In formal gardens she imparts An elegant note, She also knows How to garnish hotels, and auto
shows, Serves as garlands where pictures are
hung,Decorates halls where songs are
sung.Her accomplishments are never-
ending, She takes a hand a bar rum blending And, despite her regal manner and
looks, Talented Laurel helps the cooks.
L. Young
• Poets, scholars, and athletes honored with crowns of bay leaves
• Ward off witchcraft
• Protect from lightning Photo ©2009
Rexford Talbert
• Symbol of victory and achievement
Plays a prominent role in Greek culture.
• Sacred to Apollo, Greek god of poetry and philosophy
• The roof of Apollo’s temple was made of bay leaves
•Ancient Greek name for this plant is dáphnee
• Main components of the bay’s essential oil
• 8-cineole
• alpha-terapinyl acetate or formate
• trace amounts of linalool and other chemicals
• Leaves contain:
• calcium
• potassium
• vitamin C L. n. ‘Salicifolia’Photo © 2009 Rexford Talbert
• Cuttings• suckers from base• take in the early
morning• place in rooting
medium immediately after removal from the stock plant
• SeedsPhoto © 2009 Dorothy Bonitz
• Avoid temperatures below 38 ⁰F.
• Avoid waterlogged soils
• Winter indoors in some areas
Trim bay plants in the summer to maintain their shape.
•Prune suckers continually to develop tree and topiary forms.
© 2005 Luigi Rignanese
Theresa Mieseler © 2009
•Pests• scale
• grasshoppers
•Diseases• powdery mildew
• Pick leaves early in the morning
• Dry quickly under weights
• Harvest as needed year round
Photo © 2005 Luigi Rignanese
• Fresh leaves• keep moist in the
refrigerator
• Dry leaves• keep in an airtight
container• store in a cool dark
place• store for one year
when using for culinary
Photo © 2009 Susan Belsinger
• Culinary
• Crafting
• Medicinal
Photo © 2009 Pat Crocker
Rub or crush fresh leaves
Add leaves when cooking begins
Remove whole leaves after cooking
Bay is an essential herb for slow cooking techniques because it releases its flavor slowly.
Stock Soups and
stews Sauces Marinades Stuffing Pickles
The major contribution of bay to foods is its fragrance, sweet but not cloying, pervasive but not overpowering.
Use bay in combination with:
• Allspice
• Cardamom
• Garlic
• Lovage
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Sage
• Savory
• Thyme
Wreaths
Potpourri
Decorations
Art projects
Ornaments Photo ©2009 Susan
Betz
Photo ©2009 Susan Betz
• Can be used fresh or dried
• Can be bought in bulk throughout the year
• Dried bay leaves can be stored for many years when used for crafts
Disclaimer: Information is provided as an educational service. The Herb Society of Disclaimer: Information is provided as an educational service. The Herb Society of America can not advise, recommend, or prescribe herbs for medicinal use. Please America can not advise, recommend, or prescribe herbs for medicinal use. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.
Historically used for:• Digestion aid• Bronchitis• Influenza• Antiseptic• Arthritis• Headaches
• Ornamental
• Hedges
• Focal points
• Topiaries
• Containers
Photo © 2009 Theresa Mieseler
Photo © 2009 Pat Crocker