Identification of Leaf Properties of Natural Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) Population in Karaburun Peninsula (İzmir/Turkey)

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) belongs to the family Lauraceae, which comprises numerous aromatic and medicinal plants. Laurus nobilis L. native to Mediterranean regions is also known as sweet bay, bay laurel, Grecian laurel, true bay, and bay. Bay laurel has been used as a spice since antiquity, primarily because of its oil content. In Turkey, Laurus nobilis L. grows in the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean regions.Recently, there is an increasing global demand for bay leaf. However, many bay laurel areas, primarily in the Aegean region of Turkey, have been destroyed because of several factors: Bay leaf harvesters do not follow the proper techniques, the inspections are not sufficient and there has been no attempt to establish new bay laurel plantations to replace the ones that are lost. Therefore, new bay laurel areas should be purposely established to keep pace with the demand. It has become necessary to establish new bay laurel areas due to the destruction of existing growth areas. In order to maintain Turkey’s place in bay leaf export, new plantations should be formed, ideally with individuals possessing the most desirable characteristics for export.This study was conducted in Karaburun Peninsula, İzmir, Turkey. Two years old leaves samples were taken middle of march, june, september and december in natural population. Leaf size and thickness, leaf area and leaf colour were examined. As a result of study, some differences were found among genotypes and periods.

Identification of Leaf Properties of Natural Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) Population in Karaburun Peninsula (İzmir/Turkey) Keywords:

Bay laurel , Laurus nobilis L. , Karaburun peninsula , leaf characteristics