View source for Lauraceae

{{Short description|Family of flowering plants}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = [[Cretaceous]]-[[Recent]] ([[Cenomanian]]-[[Holocene]]), {{Fossil range|100|0}} <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Atfy |first1=Haytham |title=Vegetation and climate change at the southern margin of the Neo-Tethys during the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous): Evidence from Egypt |journal=PLOS |date=2023 |volume=18 |issue=18 |article-number=e0281008 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0281008 |pmid=36716334 |pmc=9886267 |bibcode=2023PLoSO..1881008E |doi-access=free }}</ref>Possible [[Albian]] record<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Peppe |first1=Daniel J. |last2=Hickey |first2=Leo J. |last3=Miller |first3=Ian M. |last4=Green |first4=Walton A. |date=October 2008 |title=A Morphotype Catalogue, Floristic Analysis and Stratigraphic Description of the Aspen Shale Flora(Cretaceous–Albian) of Southwestern Wyoming |url=http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3374/0079-032X-49.2.181 |journal=Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History |language=en |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=181–208 |doi=10.3374/0079-032X-49.2.181 |bibcode=2008BPMNH..49..181P |issn=0079-032X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
| image = Lauraceae sp Blanco2.360.png
| image_caption = ''Litsea glutinosa''<br />illustration from ''Flora de Filipinas'', 1880–1883, by [[Francisco Manuel Blanco]]
| taxon = Lauraceae
| authority = [[Antoine Laurent de Jussieu|Juss.]]<ref name=APGIII2009>{{Cite journal |last=Angiosperm Phylogeny Group |year=2009 |title=An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III |journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=161 |issue=2 |pages=105–121|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x |doi-access=free |hdl=10654/18083 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = ''Many; see {{slink||Genera}}''
}}
[[File:For Id climber Im IMG 1440.jpg|thumb|190px|''[[Cassytha filiformis]]'']]
[[File:Cinnamomum tamala W IMG 2433.jpg|thumb|190px|Leaves of ''[[Cinnamomum tamala]]'' - (malabathrum or ''tejpat'')]][[File:Lindera triloba(Leaves).jpg|thumb|190px|''[[Lindera|Lindera triloba]]'' leaves]]

'''Lauraceae''', or the '''laurels''', is a plant [[Family (biology)|family]] that includes the [[bay laurel|true laurel]] and its closest relatives. This family comprises about 2850 known species in about 45 [[genus (biology)|genera]] worldwide.<ref name="Christenhusz-Byng2016">{{cite journal |last1=Christenhusz |first1=Maarten J.M. |last2=Byng |first2=James W. |title=The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase |journal=Phytotaxa |date=20 May 2016 |volume=261 |issue=3 |pages=201–217 |doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1 |bibcode=2016Phytx.261..201C |doi-access=free }}</ref> They are [[dicotyledon]]s, and occur mainly in warm temperate and tropical regions, especially [[Southeast Asia]] and [[South America]]. Many are aromatic [[evergreen]] trees or shrubs, but some, such as ''[[Sassafras]]'', are [[deciduous]], or include both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, especially in tropical and temperate climates. The genus ''[[Cassytha]]'' is unique in the Lauraceae in that its members are [[parasite|parasitic]] [[vine]]s. Many species within the laurel family are highly toxic; however, some, such as the [[avocado]] (''Persea americana''), are edible and widely consumed. Members of the laurel family have played a significant role in the spice trade,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Anzano |first1=Attilio |last2=de Falco |first2=Bruna |last3=Grauso |first3=Laura |last4=Motti |first4=Riccardo |last5=Lanzotti |first5=Virginia |date=2022-04-01 |title=Laurel, Laurus nobilis L.: a review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology |journal=Phytochemistry Reviews |language=en |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=565–615 |doi=10.1007/s11101-021-09791-z |bibcode=2022PChRv..21..565A |issn=1572-980X}}</ref> particularly genera like [[Cinnamomum]], which produce aromatic oils used extensively in cooking, perfumery, and traditional medicine.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schroeder |first1=C. A. |title=SOME USEFUL PLANTS OF THE BOTANICAL FAMILY LAURACEAE |journal=California Avocado Society |date=1975}}</ref>
==Overview==
The family has a worldwide distribution in tropical and warm climates. The Lauraceae are important components of tropical [[forest]]s ranging from low-lying to [[Montane forest|montane]]. In several forested regions, Lauraceae are among the top five families in terms of the number of species present.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The Lauraceae give their name to habitats known as [[laurel forest]]s, which have many trees that superficially resemble the Lauraceae, though they may belong to other plant families such as [[Magnoliaceae]] or [[Myrtaceae]]. Laurel forests of various types occur on most continents and on many major islands.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

Although the taxonomy of the Lauraceae is still not settled, conservative estimates suggest some 52 genera worldwide, including 3,000 to 3,500 species.<ref name=Madrinan>{{Cite web|url=https://botanica.uniandes.edu.co/investigacion/lauraceae.htm|title=Lauraceae Columbianae|website=botanica.uniandes.edu.co}}</ref> Compared to other plant families, the taxonomy of Lauraceae still is poorly understood. This is partly due to its great diversity, the difficulty of identifying the species, and partly because of inadequate investment in [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomic]] work.<ref name=Madrinan/>

Recent monographs on small and medium-sized genera of Lauraceae (up to about 100 species) have revealed many new species.<ref name=Madrinan/> Similar increases in the numbers of species recognised in other larger genera are to be expected.<ref name="Madrinan"/>

==Description==
Most of the Lauraceae are evergreen [[tree]]s in [[Habit (biology)|habit]]. Exceptions include some two dozen species of ''[[Cassytha]]'', all of which are [[Obligate parasite|obligately]] [[Parasitic plant|parasitic]] [[vine]]s.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The fruits of Lauraceae are [[drupe]]s, one-seeded fleshy fruit with a hard layer, the [[endocarp]], surrounding the seed. However, the endocarp is very thin, so the fruit resemble a one-seeded berry.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Little |first1=Stefan A. |last2=Stockey |first2=Ruth A. |last3=Penner |first3=Bonnie |title=Anatomy and development of fruits of Lauraceae from the Middle Eocene Princeton Chert |journal=American Journal of Botany |date=March 2009 |volume=96 |issue=3 |pages=637–651 |doi=10.3732/ajb.0800318 |pmid=21628220 |bibcode=2009AmJB...96..637L |s2cid=38272445 }}</ref> The fruit in some species (particularly in the genus ''[[Ocotea]]'') are partly immersed or covered in a cup-shaped or deep thick [[Calybium|cupule]], which is formed from the tube of the calyx where the peduncle joins the fruit; this gives the fruit an appearance similar to an [[acorn]]. In some ''[[Lindera]]'' species, the fruit have a [[hypocarpium]] at the base of the fruit.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

==Distribution and uses==
Because the family is so ancient and was so widely distributed on the [[Gondwana]] [[supercontinent]], modern species commonly occur in [[Relict (biology)|relict]] populations isolated by geographical barriers, for instance on islands or tropical mountains. Relict forests retain [[endemic]] [[fauna]] and [[flora]] in communities of great value in inferring the [[Paleontology|palaeontological]] succession and [[Climate change (general concept)|climate change]] that followed the breakups of the supercontinents.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

*Many Lauraceae contain high concentrations of [[essential oils]], some of which are valued for spices and perfumes. Within the plants, most such substances are components of irritant or toxic sap or tissues that repel or poison many [[Herbivore|herbivorous]] or parasitic organisms.
*Some of the essential oils are valued as [[Aroma compound|fragrances]], such as in the traditional [[laurel wreath]] of [[classical antiquity]], or in [[cabinet making]], where the fragrant woods are prized for making insect-repellant [[Chest (furniture)|furniture chests]].
*Some are valued in cooking, for example, [[Bay leaf|bay leaves]] are a popular ingredient in European, American, and Asian cuisines.
*Avocados are important oil-rich fruit that are cultivated in warm climates around the world.
*Many species are exploited for [[timber]].
*Some species are valued as sources of medicinal material.

These genera include some of the best-known species of particular commercial value:{{cn|date=February 2025}}
*''[[Cinnamomum]]'': [[Cinnamomum verum|cinnamon]] (''Cinnamonum verum'') and [[Cinnamomum cassia|cassia]] (''Cinnamomum cassia'')
*''[[Camphora (plant)|Camphora]]'': [[Camphora officinarum|camphor tree]] (''Camphora officinarum'')
*''[[Laurus]]'': [[laurus nobilis|bay laurel]] (''Laurus nobilis'')
*''[[Persea]]'': [[avocado]] (''Persea americana'')

[[Loss of habitat]] and [[overexploitation]] for such products has put many species in [[endangered species|danger]] of extinction as a result of overcutting, extensive [[illegal logging]], and habitat conversion.<ref>{{cite iucn |author=World Conservation Monitoring Centre |date=1998 |title=''Ocotea argylei'' |volume=1998 |article-number=e.T32642A9720704 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T32642A9720704.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Varty, N. |date=1998 |title=''Ocotea basicordatifolia'' |volume=1998 |article-number=e.T33981A9819675 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33981A9819675.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite iucn |author=World Conservation Monitoring Centre |date=1998 |title=''Actinodaphne albifrons'' |volume=1998 |article-number=e.T32552A9714931 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T32552A9714931.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite iucn |author=de Kok, R. |date=2020 |title=''Actinodaphne cuspidata'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T36328A138506068 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T36328A138506068.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>

Conversely, some species, though commercially valuable in some countries, are regarded as aggressive invaders in other regions. For example, ''Cinnamomum camphora'', though a valued ornamental and medicinal plant, is so invasive as to have been declared a weed in subtropical forested areas of South Africa.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Henderson |first1=Lesley |title=Alien Weeds and Invasive Plants: A Complete Guide to Declared Weeds and Invaders in South Africa, Including Another 36 Species Invasive in that Region |date=2001 |publisher=Plant Protection Research Institute |isbn=978-1-86849-192-6 }}{{page needed|date=March 2023}}</ref>

==Ecology==
[[File:Lindera melissifolia.jpg|thumb|190px|''[[Lindera melissifolia]]'': This endangered species is native to the southeastern United States, and its demise is associated with habitat loss from extensive drainage of [[wetland]]s for agriculture and forestry.<ref name=FWS>[http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/930923a.pdf US Fish and Wildlife Service: Species Recovery Plan: ''Lindera melissifolia''.]</ref>  ]]
Lauraceae flowers are [[protogynous]], often with a complex flowering system to prevent [[inbreeding]]. The fruits are an important food source for birds, on which some [[Palaeognathae]] are highly dependent.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}} Other birds that rely heavily on the fruit for their diets include members of the families [[Cotingidae]], [[Columbidae]], [[Trogonidae]], [[Turdidae]], and [[Ramphastidae]], amongst others. Birds that are specialised frugivores tend to eat the whole fruit and regurgitate seeds intact, thereby releasing the seeds in favourable situations for germination ([[Biological dispersal|ornithochory]]). Some other birds that swallow the fruit pass the seed intact through their guts.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

[[Seed dispersal]] of various species in the family is also carried out by [[monkey]]s, [[Arboreal locomotion|arboreal]] [[rodent]]s, [[porcupine]]s, [[opossum]]s, and [[fish]]es.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} [[Seed dispersal|Hydrochory]] occurs in ''[[Caryodaphnopsis]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://es.scribd.com/doc/73765287/Lauraceae |title=Lauraceae |publisher=Es.scribd.com |date=2011-11-25 |access-date=2014-05-10}}{{full citation needed|date=March 2023}}</ref>{{dubious|self-published, included wikispecies link, appears to be circular sourcing|date=May 2012}}

The leaves of some species in the Lauraceae have [[domatia]] in the axils of their [[Veinlets|veins]]. The domatia are home to certain [[mite]]s. Other lauraceous species, members of the genus ''[[Pleurothyrium]]'' in particular, have a [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] relationship with ants that protect and defend the tree. Some ''[[Ocotea]]'' species are also used as nesting sites by ants, which may live in leaf pockets or in hollowed-out stems.<ref>{{Cite journal |jstor = 2387924|title = An Association of an Ant, a Mealy Bug, and an Understory Tree from a Costa Rican Rain Forest|journal = Biotropica|volume = 11|issue = 4|pages = 309–311|last1 = Stout|first1 = Jean|year = 1979|doi = 10.2307/2387924 | bibcode=1979Biotr..11..309S }}</ref>

Defense mechanisms that occur among members of the Lauraceae include irritant or toxic sap or tissues that repel or poison many [[Herbivore|herbivorous]] organisms.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

Trees of the family predominate in the world's [[laurel forest]]s{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} and [[cloud forest]]s,{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} which occur in tropical to mild temperate regions of both northern and southern hemispheres. Other members of the family however, occur pantropically in general lowland and [[Afromontane]] forest, and in Africa for example there are species endemic to countries such as [[Cameroon]], [[Sudan]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]] and [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]]. Several [[Relict (biology)|relict]] species in the Lauraceae occur in temperate areas of both hemispheres. Many botanical species in other families have similar foliage to the Lauraceae due to [[convergent evolution]], and forests of such plants are called [[laurel forest]]. These plants are adapted to high rainfall and humidity, and have leaves with a generous layer of [[wax]], making them glossy in appearance, and a narrow, pointed-oval shape with a 'drip tip', which permits the leaves to shed water despite the humidity, allowing transpiration to continue. Scientific names similar to ''[[Daphne (plant)|Daphne]]'' (e.g., ''[[Daphnidium]]'', ''[[Daphniphyllum]]'')<ref>''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607</ref> or "laurel" (e.g.,''[[Laureliopsis]]'', ''[[Skimmia laureola]]'') indicate other plant families that resemble Lauraceae.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

Some Lauraceae species have adapted to demanding conditions in semiarid climates, but they tend to depend on favorable [[edaphic]] conditions, for example, perennial aquifers, periodic groundwater flows, or periodically flooded forests in sand that contains hardly any nutrients. Various species have adapted to swampy conditions by growing [[pneumatophore]]s, roots that grow upward, that project above the levels of periodic floods that drown competing plants which lack such adaptations.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lübbe|first=W. A.|date=1991-06-01|title=The Response of Ocotea bullata (Lauraceae) to Flooded Conditions|journal=South African Forestry Journal|volume=157|issue=1|pages=32–37|doi=10.1080/00382167.1991.9629097|bibcode=1991SAfFJ.157...32L |issn=0038-2167}}</ref>

[[Paleobotany|Paleobotanists]] have suggested the family originated some 174±32 million years ago (Mya), while others<ref>''Li et al.''2004{{full citation needed|date=March 2023}}</ref> do not believe they are older than the mid-[[Cretaceous]]. Fossil flowers attributed to this family occur in [[Cenomanian]] clays (mid-Cretaceous, 90–98 Mya) of the Eastern [[United States]] (''Mauldinia mirabilis''). Fossils of Lauraceae are common in the Tertiary strata of Europe and North America, but they virtually disappeared from central Europe in the Late [[Miocene]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kvaček|first1=Zlatko|last2=Teodoridis|first2=Vasilis|last3=Denk|first3=Thomas|date=2020-09-01|title=The Pliocene flora of Frankfurt am Main, Germany: taxonomy, palaeoenvironments and biogeographic affinities|journal=Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments|language=en|volume=100|issue=3|pages=647–703|doi=10.1007/s12549-019-00391-6|bibcode=2020PdPe..100..647K |s2cid=207988189|issn=1867-1608|doi-access=free}}</ref> Because of their unusual fragility, the pollens of Lauraceae do not keep well and have been found only in relatively recent strata.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

<!-- The patterns of speciation in the Lauraceae indicate, since the onset of [[Middle Miocene disruption|aridification on the continents 15 Mya]], rainforests were fragmented into the current archipelagos of rainforests around the planet.{{Clarify|date=May 2012}} This led to increases in speciation with the majority of modern species being the products of [[parapatric speciation]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}} Many of the resulting species have a very disjunct distribution{{Clarify|what is a "disjunct distribution"?|date=May 2012}} with sister taxa occurring in other centres of ''rainforest'' and ''cloud forest'' diversity. This supports the idea that the group is of Gondwanan origin.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}} -->

Deciduous Lauraceae lose all of their leaves for part of the year depending on variations in rainfall. The leaf loss coincides with the [[dry season]] in tropical, subtropical, and arid regions.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

[[Laurel wilt]] disease, caused by the virulent fungal pathogen ''Raffaelea lauricola'', a native of [[South Asia|southern Asia]], was found in the southeast United States in 2002. The fungus spreads between hosts via a wood-boring beetle, ''[[Xyleborus glabratus]]'', with which it has a [[symbiotic]] relationship. Several Lauraceae species are affected. The beetle and disease are believed to have arrived in the US via infected solid wood packing material, and have since spread to several states.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/00000000/opmp/Redbay%20Laurel%20Wilt%20Recovery%20Plan%20January%202015.pdf | title=Recovery Plan for Laurel Wilt on Redbay and Other Forest Species Caused by Raffaelea lauricola and disseminated by Xyleborus glabratus | access-date=2024-06-11}}</ref>

==Classification==
[[File:Ocotea obtusata Leaves and fruit.JPG|thumb|190px|right|Twig of ''[[Ocotea|Ocotea obtusata]]'' with unripe fruit with an appearance similar to an [[acorn]]]]
[[File:Starr 010520-0082 Cassytha filiformis.jpg|thumb|190px|''[[Cassytha filiformis]]'' fruits]]
Classification within the Lauraceae is not fully resolved. Multiple classification schemes based on a variety of morphological and anatomical characteristics have been proposed, but none are fully accepted.  According to Judd et al. (2007),<ref name="Judd et al. 2001">{{cite book |last1=Judd |first1=Walter S. |last2=Campbell |first2=Christopher S. |last3=Kellogg |first3=Elizabeth Anne |title=Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach |date=2008 |publisher=W. H. Freeman |isbn=978-0-87893-407-2 }}{{page needed|date=March 2023}}</ref> the suprageneric classification proposed by van der Werff and Richter (1996)<ref name="van der Werff 1996"/> is currently the authority. However, due to an array of molecular and embryological evidence that disagrees with the groupings, it is not fully accepted by the scientific community. Their classification is based on inflorescence structure and wood and bark anatomy. It divides Lauraceae into two subfamilies, Cassythoideae and Lauroideae. The Cassythoideae comprise a single genus, ''Cassytha'', and are defined by their herbaceous, parasitic habit. The Lauroideae are then divided into three tribes: Laureae, Perseeae, and Cryptocaryeae.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

The subfamily Cassythoideae is not fully supported. Backing has come from ''matK'' sequences of chloroplast genes<ref name="Rohwer, 2000">{{cite journal | author=  Rohwer, J.G.| title= Toward a phylogenetic classification of the Lauraceae: evidence from ''matK'' sequences| journal= Systematic Botany | volume=25 | year=2000 | pages=60–71 | doi=10.2307/2666673 | issue=  1 | jstor=  2666673| bibcode= 2000SysBo..25...60R| s2cid= 86256357}}</ref> while a questionable placement of ''Cassytha'' has been concluded from analysis of intergenetic spacers of chloroplast and nuclear genomes.<ref name="chanderbali et al. 2001">{{cite journal |last1=Chanderbali |first1=Andre S. |last2=van der Werff |first2=Henk |last3=Renner |first3=Susanne S. |title=Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography of Lauraceae: Evidence from the Chloroplast and Nuclear Genomes |journal=Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden |date=2001 |volume=88 |issue=1 |pages=104–134 |doi=10.2307/2666133 |jstor=2666133 |bibcode=2001AnMBG..88..104C |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/38843 }}</ref> Embryological studies also appear contradictory. One study by Heo et al. (1998)<ref name="Heo et al. 1998 ">{{cite journal |last1=Heo |first1=Kweon |last2=Van Der Werff |first2=Henk |last3=Tobe |first3=Hiroshi |title=Embryology and relationships of Lauraceae (Laurales) |journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society |date=April 1998 |volume=126 |issue=4 |pages=295–322 |doi=10.1006/bojl.1997.0138 |doi-access=free }}</ref> supports the subfamily. It found that ''Cassytha'' develops an ''ab initio'' cellular-type endosperm and the rest of the family (with one exception) develops a nuclear-type endosperm.  Kimoto et al. (2006)<ref name="Kimoto et al., 2006">{{cite journal | author1=  Kimoto, Y. | author2=Utame N. | author3=and Tobe, H.| title= Embryology of Eusideroxylon (Cryptocaryeae, Lauraceae) and character evolution in the family| journal= Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society | volume=150 | year=2006 | pages=187–201 | doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.2006.00458.x | issue=  2| doi-access=free }}</ref> suggest ''Cassytha'' should be placed in the tribe Cryptocaryeae because it shares a glandular anther tapetum and an embryo sac protruding from the nucellus with other members of the Cryptocaryeae.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The tribes Laureae and Perseeae are not well supported by any molecular or embryological studies. Sequences of the ''matK'' chloroplast gene,<ref name="Rohwer, 2000"/> as well as sequences of chloroplast and nuclear genomes,<ref name="chanderbali et al. 2001"/> reveal close relationships between the two tribes.  Embryological evidence does not support a clear division between the two tribes, either. Genera such as ''Caryodaphnopsis'' and ''Aspidostemon'' that share embryological characteristics with one tribe and wood and bark characteristics or inflorescence characteristics with another tribe blur the division of these groups.<ref name="Heo et al. 1998 "/>  All available evidence, except for inflorescence morphology and wood and bark anatomy, fails to support separate tribes Laureae and Perseeae.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The tribe Cryptocaryeae is partially supported by molecular and embryological studies. Chloroplast and nuclear genomes support a tribal grouping that contains all the genera circumscribed by van der Weff and Richter (1996),<ref name="van der Werff 1996"/> as well as three additional genera.<ref name="chanderbali et al. 2001"/> Partial support for the tribe is also attained from the ''matK''  sequences of chloroplast genes<ref name="Rohwer, 2000"/> as well as embryology.<ref name="Kimoto and Tobe, 2001"/>

'''Challenges in Lauraceae classification'''

The knowledge of the species comprising the Lauraceae is incomplete. In 1991, about 25-30% of neotropical Lauraceae species had not been described.<ref name="Rohwer et al. 1991"/> In 2001, embryological studies had only been completed on individuals from 26 genera yielding a 38.9% level of knowledge, in terms of embryology, for this family.<ref name="Kimoto and Tobe, 2001">{{cite journal | author1=Kimoto, Y. | author2=H. Tobe| title= Embryology of Laurales: a review and perspectives| journal=Journal of Plant Research | volume=114 | year=2001 | pages=247–261 | doi=10.1007/PL00013988 | issue=  3| bibcode=2001JPlR..114..247K| s2cid= 31592261}}</ref> Additionally, the huge amount of variation within the family poses a major challenge for developing a reliable classification.<ref name="van der Werff 1996">{{cite journal |last1=van der Werff |first1=Henk |last2=Richter |first2=H. G. |title=Toward an Improved Classification of Lauraceae |journal=Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden |date=1996 |volume=83 |issue=3 |pages=409–418 |doi=10.2307/2399870 |jstor=2399870 |bibcode=1996AnMBG..83..409V |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/7771 }}</ref><ref name="Rohwer et al. 1991">{{cite journal |last1=Rohwer |first1=Jens G. |last2=Richter |first2=Hans Georg |last3=van der Werff |first3=Henk |title=Two New Genera of Neotropical Lauraceae and Critical Remarks on the Generic Delimitation |journal=Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden |date=1991 |volume=78 |issue=2 |pages=388–400 |doi=10.2307/2399568 |jstor=2399568 |bibcode=1991AnMBG..78..388R |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/35601 }}</ref>

==Phytochemistry==
The adaptation of Lauraceae to new environments has followed a long evolutionary journey which has led to many [[Specialization (biology)|specializations]], including defensive or deterrent systems against other organisms.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

Phytochemicals in the Lauraceae are numerous and diverse. [[Benzylisoquinoline]] [[alkaloid]]s include [[aporphine]]s and [[oxoaporphine]]s, as well as derivatives of [[morphinan]]s. Essential oils include [[terpenoid]]s, [[benzyl benzoate]]s, [[allylphenol]]s, and [[propenylphenols]]. [[Lignan]]s and [[neolignan]]s are present, along with ''S''-methyl-5-O-[[flavonoid]]s, [[proanthocyanidin]]s, [[cinnamoylamide]]s, phenylpyrroles, [[styryl pyrone]]s, [[polyketide]]s ([[acetogenin]]s), [[furanosesquiterpene]]s, and [[Germacranolide|germacranolidous]], [[heliangolide|heliangolidous]], [[eudesmanolide|eudesmanolidous]] and [[guaianolide|guaianolidous]] [[sesquiterpene lactones]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

==Genera==
58 genera are accepted.<ref name="powo">{{cite web |title=Lauraceae|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30000569-2|website=plantsoftheworldonline.org |publisher=Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew |access-date=20 May 2025}}</ref>
{{Columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* ''[[Actinodaphne]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Aiouea]]'' {{small|Aubl.}}
* ''[[Alseodaphne]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Alseodaphnopsis]]'' {{small|H.W.Li & J.Li}}
* ''[[Andea]]'' {{small|van der Werff}}
* ''[[Aniba]]'' {{small|Aubl.}}
* ''[[Aspidostemon]]'' {{small|Rohwer & H.G.Richt.}}
* ''[[Beilschmiedia]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Camphora (plant)|Camphora]]'' {{small|Fabr.}}
* ''[[Caryodaphnopsis]]'' {{small|Airy Shaw}}
* ''[[Cassytha]]'' {{small|Osbeck}}
* ''[[Chlorocardium]]'' {{small|Rohwer, H.G.Richt. & van der Werff}}
* ''[[Cinnadenia]]'' {{small|Kosterm.}}
* ''[[Cinnamomum]]'' {{small|Schaeff.}}
* ''[[Clinostemon]]'' {{small|Kuhlm. & Samp.}}
* ''[[Cryptocarya]]'' {{small|R.Br.}}
* {{extinct}}''[[Marmathia]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Marmathia pearsoni |url=https://dmns.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/workspace/handleMediaPlayer;JSESSIONID=d6f5bdeb-b896-40cb-b5a7-b569f67b0dbc?lunaMediaId=DMNSDMS~4~4~177166~127421 |website=lunaimaging.com}}</ref>
* ''[[Damburneya]]'' {{small|Raf.}}
* ''[[Dehaasia]]'' {{small|Blume}}
* ''[[Dicypellium]]'' {{small|Nees & Mart.}}
* ''[[Dodecadenia]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Endiandra]]'' {{small|R.Br.}}
* ''[[Endlicheria]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Eusideroxylon]]'' {{small|Teijsm. & Binn.}}
* ''[[Hexapora]]'' {{small|Hook.f.}}
* ''[[Hypodaphnis]]'' {{small|Stapf}}
* ''[[Kubitzkia]]'' {{small|van der Werff}}
* ''[[Kuloa]]'' {{small|Trofimov & Rohwer}}
* ''[[Laurus]]'' {{small|L.}}
* ''[[Licaria]]'' {{small|Aubl.}}
* ''[[Lindera]]'' {{small|Thunb.}}
* ''[[Litsea]]'' {{small|Lam.}}
* ''[[Machilus]]'' {{small|Rumph. ex Nees}}
* ''[[Mespilodaphne]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Mezilaurus]]'' {{small|Kuntze ex Taub.}}
* ''[[Nectandra]]'' {{small|Rol. ex Rottb.}}
* ''[[Neocinnamomum]]'' {{small|H.Liu}}
* ''[[Neolitsea]]'' {{small|Merr.}}
* ''[[Nothaphoebe]]'' {{small|Blume}}
* ''[[Ocotea]]'' {{small|Aubl.}}
* ''[[Paraia]]'' {{small|Rohwer, H.G.Richt. & van der Werff}}
* ''[[Parasassafras]]'' {{small|D.G.Long}}
* ''[[Persea]]'' {{small|Mill.}} (synonym ''[[Apollonias]]'' {{small|Nees}})
* ''[[Phoebe (plant)|Phoebe]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Phyllostemonodaphne]]'' {{small|Kosterm.}}
* ''[[Pleurothyrium]]'' {{small|Nees}}
* ''[[Potameia]]'' {{small|Thouars}}
* ''[[Potoxylon]]'' {{small|Kosterm.}}
* ''[[Rhodostemonodaphne]]'' {{small|Rohwer & Kubitzki}}
* ''[[Sassafras]]'' {{small|J.Presl.}}
* {{extinct}}''[[Sassafrasoxylon]]''
* ''[[Sextonia]]'' {{small|van der Werff}}
* ''[[Sinopora (plant)|Sinopora]]'' {{small|J.Li, N.H.Xia & H.W.Li}}
* ''[[Syndiclis]]'' {{small|Hook.f.}}
* ''[[Tamala (plant)|Tamala]]'' {{small|Raf.}}
* ''[[Triadodaphne]]'' {{small|Kosterm.}}
* ''[[Umbellularia]]'' {{small|Nutt.}}
* ''[[Urbanodendron]]'' {{small|Mez}}
* ''[[Williamodendron]]'' {{small|Kubitzki & H.G.Richt.}}
* ''[[Yasunia]]'' {{small|van der Werff}}
}}

== Popular culture ==
{{Main|Laurel wreath}}
A [[laurel wreath]], a round or horseshoe-shaped [[wreath]] made of connected laurel branches and leaves, is an ancient symbol of triumph in classical Western culture originating in [[Greek mythology]], and is associated in some countries with academic or literary achievement.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/lauracea.htm Lauraceae] in [https://web.archive.org/web/20070103200438/http://delta-intkey.com/angio/ L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants.]
* {{cite journal |last1=Kostermans |first1=A. J. G. H. |title=Lauraceae |journal=Reinwardtia |date=29 September 1957 |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=193–256 |doi=10.14203/reinwardtia.v4i2.1003 |doi-broken-date=12 July 2025 |url=https://e-journal.biologi.lipi.go.id/index.php/reinwardtia/article/view/1003 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Poinar |first1=George |title=A mid-Cretaceous Lauraceae flower, Cascolaurus burmitis gen. et sp. nov., in Myanmar amber |journal=Cretaceous Research |date=March 2017 |volume=71 |pages=96–101 |doi=10.1016/j.cretres.2016.11.015 |bibcode=2017CrRes..71...96P }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Meisner |first1=C. F. |title=Lauraceae |journal=Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis |date=1864 |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=1–260 |id={{NAID|10007643152}} |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/7165 }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Mez | first1 = Carl Christian | year = 1889 | title = Lauraceae Americanae Monographice Descripsit | journal = Jahrbuch des Königlichen Botanischen Gartens und des Botanischen Museums zu Berlin | volume = 5 | pages = 1–556 }}
* [[Nees|Nees von Esenbeck, Christian Gottfried Daniel]] (1836): Systema Laurinarum, Berlin, Veitii et Sociorum. Until the page 352, available, free, on pdf files in [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ Gallica]
* Rohwer, Jens G. in Kubitzki, K.(Editor) 1993. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, Vol.2: K. Kubitzki, J. G. Rohwer & V. Bittrich, 366-390. {{ISBN|3-540-55509-9}}
* Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. ''Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaiʻi''. Spec. Publ. 83. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. Bishop Museum. 1854 pp.
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikispecies-inline}}

{{Angiosperm families}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q26538}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lauraceae| ]]
[[Category:Magnoliid families]]