Tag: Poisonous laurel

According to gardening experts, many ornamental laurel species like mountain laurel and cherry laurel are highly poisonous, containing toxins that can be deadly if ingested. Navigating the world of edible plants and kitchen herbs requires careful identification, as mistakenly consuming the wrong leaf can have severe consequences. So, are laurel leaves safe to eat? The answer is a critical distinction between edible culinary bay laurel and its toxic lookalikes.

While commonly used in cooking, not all 'laurel' leaves are safe for consumption, and some are highly toxic. Knowing the difference is critical, so can I eat bay laurel safely? The key lies in correctly identifying the true culinary bay leaf, *Laurus nobilis*.