Native to Northern Asia, very popular in all the Mediterranean area and in Italy it is one of the typical features of the vegetation type classified as “Lauretum”. Large evergreen shrub, sometimes a tree, upright habit, thick, with branches covered in leaves right from the ground. Leathery leaves, elongate, undulated at the margins and getting thinner at both ends. They are 5-10cm long, 2-4cm wide, shiny green. Apart from being extremely ornamental they are also very aromatic and therefore used in perfumes, liquors and above all to flavour food. Not very abundant or showy, small, cream flowers in April followed by not very abundant berries which are black when ripe. Withstands severe and repeated pruning and is easily made into any shape. Grows well in all types of soil, even dry. Tolerates maritime exposure and town pollution. It is certainly the most popular and in our view the best plant for any size hedge, free growing or trimmed, in our climate and the Mediterranean landscape. Also popular in northern countries grown in pots or tubs for indoor decoration.