Laurel of India: Characteristics, Care, Uses and more

Found throughout the Mediterranean and serving as a culinary ingredient or for remedies; the indian laurel It is a tree that has enjoyed a great appreciation in history. Next, in this article we will deal with everything about this plant, from its characteristics and uses, to the way of cultivation, among other things.

What is the Laurel of India?

The common laurel was already known from Ancient Rome. The Roman emperors adorned themselves with a crown made with 2 branches of this plant. It represented with it the idea of ​​victory, manifesting itself above all in the campaigns carried out by the sovereigns.

Their scientific name is the Laurus nobilis. These trees are divided into different types, among which is the Indian laurel. Also known as Benjamina or Boxwood, it is said to be a plant that comes from South and Southeast Asia, as well as North and South Australia.

At the same time that the Indian laurel or Ficus microcarpa (for its scientific name) began to be planted in America, it was also beginning to have a considerable boom in Costa Rica and Mexico, receiving the name of Amate.

Instead, in South America they refer to the Indian laurel as Matapalo. On the other hand, in Bangkok, located in Thailand, this plant is constituted as the official tree of that state.

It is quite common to see the Indian laurel as part of the different types of trees found in a park, while walking on streets and in traffic. In addition, many times it can be seen on the central highway, including the province of Pinar de Rio.

There are occasions when it is observed together with other species, such as the Ficus. The latter is seen recurrently in roads built long ago.

Characteristics of the Laurel of India

The Indian Laurel tree is one of the dioecious type, that is, one that can be presented in both male and female genders. In this sense it differs from the species called aphrodite, in which a single plant has the functional reproductive organs of each sex.

All the tree leaves They can be perennial, remaining immune to the climatic changes typical of the different seasons of the year.

The measure of the leaves of the Indian laurel is between 5 and 10 meters high. The trunk can become straight, whose bark is gray and crowned with an eminent and exuberant crown.

The coloration of the leaves of the tree is characterized by its green color, distributed in such a way that it alternates around its branches. Another thing that characterizes it is its aromatic capacity.

The shape of its leaves is normally lanceolate, that is, like the end or tip of a spear. However, there are times when you can see some that have wavy edges.

indian laurel

The Indian laurel normally has leaves between 3 and 9 cm long, with their respective smaller petiole, which joins it with the rest of the plant. In the beam you can see a green color that shines and whose back is differentiated by its low brightness.

Flowers

In the Indian laurel there is a bloom arranged in sessile umbrellas. These have more or less 4 or 6 flowers, which have four petals. Generally, the flowering season of the tree begins between March and April, with a coloration that normally tends to yellow.

Since the Indian laurel is a dioecious tree, its flowers are of different genera. Stamens normally have between 2 and 8 stamens (reproductive organs), measuring up to about 3 millimeters. It should also be noted that it has 2 opposite nectaries.

The female flowers, on the other hand, are distinguished from the male ones in that they tend to be between 2 and 4 staminodes joined together and a subsessile ovary.

Fruit

The fruit of the Indian Laurel is egg-shaped or ovoid. It corresponds to a type of berry that measures about 15 millimeters and that is sessile, that is, it does not have an organ by which it can be supported. The more it matures, it also begins to take on a darker color with greater force.

Inside the fruit there is only a single seed that measures approximately 9 millimeters. The maturation of the same many times occurs throughout the autumn seasons. Through its seed, the Indian laurel is propagated to greatly facilitate its reproduction. In addition, its berries are a food that is very popular with birds.

Overall dimensions

The Indian laurel has a very dense crown of enormous dimensions, reaching up to 20 m high. The leaves, which sometimes take on a darker color compared to their normal greenness, have an ellipse and hairless shape, measuring 5 to 7 centimeters long.

Properties and Gastronomic Uses of the Laurel of India

Thanks to its immense variety of properties, the Ficus microcarpa is one of the types of edible laurel. In such aspect, it is used to serve as a kind of seasoning for many dishes. As a consequence, this tree is quite popular in world gastronomy.

However, the Indian laurel is mostly used in different regions of Europe. The best example of this is in the gastronomy of Spain, which is found in its dishes in most cases.

Given its strong flavor useful for seasoning, it is normal to see that the Indian laurel is used at the time of seasoning soups, stews and stews. For this same reason it is widely used when it comes to giving more flavor to meat, fish, shellfish and various vegetables that will accompany the dishes.

Indian Laurel leaves are often used whole, although they are also used in the form of a bouquet and are usually removed when the food is served on the plate.

In order to get the best contribution in aroma and flavor that the Indian laurel can offer, it is usually sold in different forms. Of these presentations we have the referred seasoning crushed, ground or whole.

Properties and Medicinal Uses of the Laurel of India

In addition to the culinary area, the Indian laurel is also widely used in medicine. This is because it works very well against stomach discomfort and serves to counteract a lack of appetite, including pleasing the digestive system.

On the other hand, it has good carminative properties, which help reduce the gases that are produced in digestion and other faculties called cholagogues, which serve to reject the bile retained in the gallbladder.

From the berries produced by the tree, it is possible to obtain a type of essential oil, which is called laurel butter. This oil is often used in order to carry out treatments against inflammation in the joints and pediculosis.

Given the aforementioned properties of the Indian laurel, scientific research has been carried out on it to better understand it. In this sense, a considerable number of health specialists and others in botany assure that this tree can be used in natural medicine. The advantage of this lies in the possibility of avoiding the excess chemicals that are likely to be loaded into the remedies.

With the above, an emphasis is placed on the need for prevention regarding the concentrations and amounts of chemicals that can be ingested. It is also possible to highlight in that same sense, the possibility of being very toxic the medicine for the system of our body if they are consumed beyond what is prudent.

On the other hand, the wood of the laurel tree is highly valued thanks to its strength and beauty. It is because of its hardness that it is used for various types of operations, such as the making of supports for beams, as well as for palisades.

How is the Indian Laurel Cultivated?

Although it is normal to see the Indian laurel in various places on the roads and in traffic, in fact it is necessary to take into account several aspects if you want to grow the tree. For this reason, in the next sections we will deal with all the points you need to know to be able to plant and grow a Ficus microcarpa healthily.

Climate Adaptability

When wanting to grow any plant, it is necessary to take into account the climatic conditions that it is capable of withstanding. In this way, it is possible to anticipate those seasons that could harm or benefit it.

With the Indian laurel, it should be noted that it lives best in any warm climate, as well as in those that are temperate. However, it is difficult for it to be able to withstand cold weather. That is why it is best to protect it during the winter, in order to ensure that it does not die.

indian laurel

Location

Every plant can have a particular function. Whether for decorative purposes to improve the aesthetics of the internal areas of the house, such as the rooms. It is also feasible to use them to give gardens greater beauty and visibility, so that they may be exposed to cool and humid climates, ensuring optimal growth and development.

It is necessary to point out that the type of soil is, in this sense, an important point. In the event that it is too inclined, it is convenient not to proceed to work with much recurrence.

fertilization

Fertilizer refers to those compounds that are used to enhance the properties and minerals that are typical of the soil, but that can be lost as a result of different climatic conditions.

In the particular case of the Indian laurel, its cultivation must be carried out by paying it when it is spring time. Being feasible to nourish it with liquid or solid fertilizer if you want, obeying of course the guidelines indicated on the container.

The Irrigation Process

Water is also one of those elements to take into account to achieve optimal results in the cultivation of any type of plant. For the Indian laurel it is necessary to point out that it requires, for its growth, not very recurrent irrigation. The reason for this is that it has the ability to largely resist dryness in the soil, since the tree itself can already transpire and retain its own moisture.

indian laurel

If in the cultivation process a very dry substrate is presented, degenerating in the fall of the plant; It is convenient to avoid collecting puddles in the pot when the tree is watered.

The Reproduction Process

In general, the reproduction of plants can be classified into different types, depending on the species and type. In the particular case of the Indian laurel, it is possible to germinate through cuttings. That is, bumps or branches of the tree, which have the ability to carry out the process by themselves.

It is preferable that the protuberances are sliced ​​and previously prepared in spring time. With this, you can be sure that the rooting process will be carried out correctly during the hottest months of summer, which is the most propitious moment for the tree to begin to be born.

The protuberances that the plant provides for reproduction must be of a laurel tree from India already mature, about three years old and enjoying the best possible health. With regard to the youngest branches, it is only feasible to cut them about 15 centimeters long and trying to remove all the leaves that are on the branch. This will allow contact between the soil and the sap.

Growth and development

The Indian laurel is a tree that does not grow very easily. To optimize the speed of its development, it is recommended that the plant be kept in pots throughout the beginning of its life, especially in the first one.

Proceeding in this way, you will be able to handle the conditions to which the tree is subjected. Otherwise, the plant may suffer too early a competition for nutrients and minerals between the other plants that are next to it or the situation degenerates to a difficult adaptability to the different climates of the seasons.

Care and Subsistence

In order to ensure the good growth and development of the plant, it is recommended that moisture and light be given to the pot in which the cuttings are arranged.

Once the above has been done and about 15 days have passed since rooting, it is necessary to ensure that the soil is kept moist, but trying not to overdo it. It is advisable to leave the plant fully exposed to sunlight, since this can damage its leaves.

In the winter seasons, it is best to keep the plant away from low temperatures, in order to take care of it from possible death.

To carry out the irrigation on the laurel of India, it is preferable that it is carried out in moderation and trying not to form any puddles. If you don't, the plant's roots are likely to rot. To avoid this, the tree can be watered in low frequency when the fall and winter seasons arrive.

At the time of wanting to use the leaves of the Indian laurel for decorative or gastronomic purposes, such as improving the taste and smell of food, it is not necessary to have any prevention in this regard. This is because the leaves of the plant can be arranged throughout the year.


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