TAXON: Laurus nobilis SCORE: 6.0 RATING: Evaluate Taxon: Laurus nobilis Family: Lauraceae Common Name(s): bay Synonym(s): NA bay laurel bay leaf laurel Assessor: Chuck Chimera Status: Assessor Approved End Date: 9 May 2016 WRA Score: 6.0 Designation: EVALUATE Rating: Evaluate Keywords: Mediterranean Tree, Naturalized, Spice, Dioecious, Bird-Dispersed Qsn # Question Answer Option Answer 101 Is the species highly domesticated? y=-3, n=0 n 102 Has the species become naturalized where grown? 103 Does the species have weedy races? Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) - If 201 island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute "wet (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) (See Appendix 2) Intermediate tropical" for "tropical or subtropical" 202 Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) (See Appendix 2) Low 203 Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility) y=1, n=0 y Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or 204 y=1, n=0 y subtropical climates Does the species have a history of repeated introductions 205 y=-2, ?=-1, n=0 y outside its natural range? 301 Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2), n= question 205 y 302 Garden/amenity/disturbance weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2) y 303 Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see Appendix 2) n 304 Environmental weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see Appendix 2) n 305 Congeneric weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2) n 401 Produces spines, thorns or burrs y=1, n=0 n 402 Allelopathic y=1, n=0 n 403 Parasitic y=1, n=0 n 404 Unpalatable to grazing animals y=1, n=-1 n 405 Toxic to animals y=1, n=0 n 406 Host for recognized pests and pathogens 407 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans 408 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems y=1, n=0 y 409 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle y=1, n=0 y Creation Date: 9 May 2016 (Laurus nobilis) Page 1 of 16 TAXON: Laurus nobilis SCORE: 6.0 RATING: Evaluate Qsn # Question Answer Option Answer Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone 410 y=1, n=0 y conditions if not a volcanic island) 411 Climbing or smothering growth habit y=1, n=0 n 412 Forms dense thickets 501 Aquatic y=5, n=0 n 502 Grass y=1, n=0 n 503 Nitrogen fixing woody plant y=1, n=0 n Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs 504 y=1, n=0 n -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native 601 y=1, n=0 n habitat 602 Produces viable seed y=1, n=-1 y 603 Hybridizes naturally y=1, n=-1 n 604 Self-compatible or apomictic y=1, n=-1 n 605 Requires specialist pollinators y=-1, n=0 n 606 Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation y=1, n=-1 y 607 Minimum generative time (years) Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants 701 y=1, n=-1 n growing in heavily trafficked areas) 702 Propagules dispersed intentionally by people y=1, n=-1 y 703 Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant y=1, n=-1 n 704 Propagules adapted to wind dispersal y=1, n=-1 n 705 Propagules water dispersed y=1, n=-1 n 706 Propagules bird dispersed y=1, n=-1 y 707 Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) y=1, n=-1 n 708 Propagules survive passage through the gut y=1, n=-1 y 801 Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 802 y=1, n=-1 n yr) 803 Well controlled by herbicides 804 Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire y=1, n=-1 y Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced 805 biocontrol agents) Creation Date: 9 May 2016 (Laurus nobilis) Page 2 of 16 TAXON: Laurus nobilis SCORE: 6.0 RATING: Evaluate Supporting Data: Qsn # Question Answer 101 Is the species highly domesticated? n Source(s) Notes "After centuries of cultivation (for ornamental, religious and pharmacological purposes), the original natural range of L. nobilis is no more easily recognisable. According to the most restrictive theory, L. nobilis originates from Asia Minor and Middle East regions and only its presence in Mediterranean communities of Anatolia, Syria and Lebanon would be unquestionably natural. According to CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. CAB another hypothesis, also the southern Iberian Peninsula and other International, Wallingford, UK regions, where (at least in localized sites) a warm-temperate but humid climate occurs, should be included in the natural range of L. nobilis. Nowadays, L. nobilis occurs largely along the Mediterranean basin, in natural or naturalized conditions in the environment of evergreen Mediterranean species or also associated to submediterranean deciduous, termophilous Quercus forests (Angiolini et al., 1995; De Capua E.L., 1995)." 102 Has the species become naturalized where grown? Source(s) Notes WRA Specialist. 2016. Personal Communication NA 103 Does the species have weedy races? Source(s) Notes WRA Specialist. 2016. Personal Communication NA Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) - If 201 island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute "wet Intermediate tropical" for "tropical or subtropical" Source(s) Notes "After centuries of cultivation (for ornamental, religious and pharmacological purposes), the original natural range of L. nobilis is no more easily recognisable. According to the most restrictive theory, L. nobilis originates from Asia Minor and Middle East regions and only its presence in Mediterranean communities of Anatolia, Syria and Lebanon would be unquestionably natural. According to CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. CAB another hypothesis, also the southern Iberian Peninsula and other International, Wallingford, UK regions, where (at least in localized sites) a warm-temperate but humid climate occurs, should be included in the natural range of L. nobilis. Nowadays, L. nobilis occurs largely along the Mediterranean basin, in natural or naturalized conditions in the environment of evergreen Mediterranean species or also associated to submediterranean deciduous, termophilous Quercus forests " [More suited to a Mediterranean climate] 202 Quality of climate match data Low Creation Date: 9 May 2016 (Laurus nobilis) Page 3 of 16 TAXON: Laurus nobilis SCORE: 6.0 RATING: Evaluate Qsn # Question Answer Source(s) Notes "After centuries of cultivation (for ornamental, religious and CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. CAB pharmacological purposes), the original natural range of L. nobilis is International, Wallingford, UK no more easily recognisable. 203 Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility) y Source(s) Notes "Climatic amplitude (estimates) - Altitude range: 0 - 400 m - Mean annual rainfall: 500 - 1000 mm - Rainfall regime: winter; bimodal; uniform CAB International, 2005. Forestry Compendium. CAB - Dry season duration: 1 - 2 months International, Wallingford, UK - Mean annual temperature: 12 - 19ºC - Mean maximum temperature of hottest month: 24 - 30ºC - Mean minimum temperature of coldest month: 2 - 8ºC - Absolute minimum temperature: > -15ºC" "Ideally, day temperatures should be between 10 and 27 °C. and Elzebroek, A. T. G. 2008. Guide to Cultivated Plants. CABI, night temperatures not below 10°C. It can withstand several degrees Wallingford, UK of frost. Severe frost may kill the above-ground parts. although regeneration from subterranean parts of the plant may be possible." "Laurel, which occurs naturally in Mediterranean maquis and forest vegetation, is very adaptable, growing well at average annual Ipor, I.B. & Oyen, L.P.A., 1999. Laurus nobilis L.[Internet] temperatures from 8-27°C and with an annual precipitation of 300- Record from Proseabase. de Guzman, C.C. and 2200 mm. Light frost is tolerated. More severe frost may kill the Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of aboveground parts, but plants may regrow from their basal parts. Its South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. light requirements are high. A decrease in temperature may reduce www.proseanet.org leaf size and oil content of the leaves. Leaves from trees grown at or near sea-level are reported to contain more oil than those from trees grown on inland hills." The Herb Society of America. 1999. Factsheet - Bay - "Sweet bay, or bay laurel is an evergreen tree which may grow to 40 Laurus nobilis. feet in its native Mediterranean regions, though in Zones 8-10 in the http://www.herbsociety.org/factsheets/bay.pdf. U.S., it can grow from 6 to 25 feet if protected from winter winds." [Accessed 25 Oct 2011] Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or 204 y subtropical climates Source(s) Notes Ipor, I.B. & Oyen, L.P.A., 1999. Laurus nobilis L.[Internet] Record from Proseabase. de Guzman, C.C. and "Laurus nobilis is grown and occasionally naturalized throughout the Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of drier tropics, subtropics and warm temperate areas." South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. www.proseanet.org Does the species have a history of repeated 205 y introductions outside its natural range? Source(s) Notes Creation Date: 9 May 2016 (Laurus nobilis) Page 4 of 16 TAXON: Laurus nobilis SCORE: 6.0 RATING: Evaluate Qsn # Question Answer Ipor, I.B. & Oyen, L.P.A., 1999. Laurus nobilis L.[Internet] Record from Proseabase. de Guzman, C.C. and "Laurus nobilis is grown and occasionally naturalized throughout the Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of drier tropics, subtropics and warm temperate areas. It is also South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. cultivated as a garden and pot plant worldwide." www.proseanet.org 301 Naturalized beyond native range y Source(s) Notes Ipor, I.B. & Oyen, L.P.A., 1999. Laurus nobilis L.[Internet] Record from Proseabase. de Guzman, C.C. and "L. nobilis is grown and occasionally naturalized throughout the drier Siemonsma, J.S.