| Mexican Bay | |
| Litsea glaucescens | |
| a.k.a. Laurel |
A fairly uncommon shrubby tree best known for its use as a culinary spice. Many parts of the plant contain essential oils that are reminiscent of the bay leaf.
Description: A small, evergreen tree growing to 15-20 feet. Leaves are leathery and elongated in shape, growing up to 3". They are distinct in having a blue-green coloration to their undersides. Flowers are small, white-green in color. Fruits are small, at most 1/2" across and ripen to a deep purple-black. There are supposedly a handful of varieties or variants of this species, though minimal attention seems to be given to propagating select types.
Hardiness: Hardy to short frosts. Minimum hardiness is not known.
Growing Environment: Grows well in full or filtered sun. Makes a good candidate for container culture.
Propagation: By seeds and cuttings.
Uses: The plant is used as a spice, notably as a substitute for bay (Laurus nobilis). Its culinary use is mainly confined to Mexico, where it has attained popularity in a number of regions there.
Native Range: Native to Southern Mexico, mainly Chiapas, Veracruz, Tepic, and Tamaulipas as well as parts of Central America.