Laurel, loro (Laurus novocanariensis)

Evergreen tree that grows to a good size, up to 20 m, with a dense, broadly pyramid-shaped crown. The trunk has tiny semi-spherical protuberances or lenticels, which are characteristic of several laurel species, and is ash-grey or chestnut-brown, with whitish markings due to lichens and fungi growing on the bark. Leaves are lanceolate, varying in length and width, 5-18 cm long and 3-8 cm wide, with small glands along the central and, occasionally, the side veins; new leaves are rather tomentose and light green, while mature leaves are glabrous and shiny dark green. Flowers are small, dioecious, yellowish-white or pale yellow, and clustered in short axillary racemes. Fruits are ovoid, blackish when ripe, up to 2 cm long. This tree usually develops a specific fungus (Laurobasidium lauri) on the bark, which makes it easily identifiable from a distance. This species is highly characteristic and dominant in the evergreen forests, which are native to the Canary Islands and Madeira, and a close relative of another laurel, Laurus azorica, exclusive to the Azores.