The Laurus nobilis belongs to the Lauraceae family.

The Lauraceae are a family of cosmopolitan plants with distribution particularly diverse in the tropics. Lauraceae species form an important component of tropical forests from low to montane forests in several cases found among the top five families with greater representation in terms of number of species. Although not known with certainty the total number of species in the family, conservative estimates indicate approximately 3.000 to 3.500 species worldwide, distributed in 52 genera.

Compared to other plant families, the taxonomy of the family is poorly understood due in part to their great diversity, difficulty in identifying and reduced taxonomic work done on it. But recent interest in the family has avanced taxonomic and systematic knowledge of the family.

There are three main economical uses for this family. A high content of essential oils are found in many Lauraceae that are important for spices and perfumes. Avocados are important oil-rich fruit that are now planted in warm climates across the world. The hard wood of many species is a source for timber around the world. A great number of species are in danger of extinction due to over exploitation as medicinal plants or timber extraction and also for loss of habitat.

The following genera include species with commercial value and are consequently among the best known: Cinnamomum: Cinnamon, Cassia and Camphor Laurel, Laurus: Bay Laurel, Lindera: Spicebush, Persea: Avocado, Sassafras: Sassafras.

The luxurious, evergreen leaves are alternate, with short stalks, lanceolate, 3 to 4 inches long, the margin smooth and wavy. They are thick, smooth, and of a shining, dark green colour.The laurel is dioecious (unisexual), with male and female flowers on separate plants. Each flower is pale yellow-green, about 1 cm diameter, and they are born in pairs beside a leaf. The fruit is a small, shiny black berry about 1 cm long.