There is no doubt that the bay laurel is a Maltese indigenous tree.
Fossilised imprints of its leaves have been found in Pleistocene deposits, that is, rock formations from the Ice Age period, which formed thousands of years before the first humans arrived in the Maltese islands and so they could not have been brought over by humans.
The bay laurel is an evergreen tree with dark green leaves and light yellow flowers. It blooms from February to April and although it is already mid-March, one should not be surprised if one finds trees that have not flowered yet.
The persistent wintery weather seems to be causing trees and plants to flower later than usual.
Indigenous species often have a rich cultural legacy which is a result of centuries of interaction between humans and nature
In Maltese the bay laurel is known as siġra tar-rand. It is found in maquis habitat but very few wild specimen are left in nature. A good number have been planted in gardens and public areas but more should be planted. It is much better to have an indigenous tree than an alien species growing in the countryside.
Indigenous trees are well adapted to local conditions and provide food and shelter for indigenous fauna, thus helping to maintain a rich biodiversity. Alien species take up space that would be much better utilised by native trees. They do not provide a habitat for many species of animals and so can be called a faunistic desert.
Moreover, indigenous species often have a rich cultural legacy which is a result of centuries of interaction between humans and nature.
The bay laurel is used a lot in cooking. The leaves are used to flavour soups and stews, and locally it is an important ingredient of rabbit sauce.
In classical times, the Greeks used laurel wreaths to symbolise victory and to bestow a high status on the person wearing it.
Bay laurel is also used medicinally. An essential oil produced from it is used in massage therapy to alleviate arthritic and rheumatic pain. Laboratory studies have shown that high concentrations of a chemical extract can inhibit skin cancer cells from proliferating.
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