Laurophyllum - the giant bay laurel fossil

Laurophyllum - the giant bay laurel fossil Found in the Miocene sedimentary rocks in northern Oltenia, this leaf is a remnant of a small tree height, whose current correspondents vegetate in a warm and humid climate, different from the climate of our country. With nearly 20 cm long and 9 cm wide, this fossil plant is included in the class of the biggest similar leaves, that has ever been found for the Lauraceae Family (the laurel family). Laurophyllum is the scientific name for fossil leaves  lauraceae that were preserved for millions of years in fine/detitrus rocks, previously accumulated in the form of sediments in the Sarmatian Sea shore of about 13 million years ago. The precise location of the land area for this dissolved sea is near Targu Jiu, in Romania. Nowadays, the laurel is a plant with long persistent leaves (or evergreen leaves which means that its leaves do not fall during the cold season) and it can be found only in the Mediterranean Sea area, on the European continent but also in North Africa. Its leaves are aromatic, being used for a long time in the kitchen to prepare delicious Mediterranean dishes and not only. The laurel is revered for ages because of its appearance and thickness, therefore the Greeks personified and expanded its capabilities on the most valuable people they glorified by offering them the exceptionally so called „Laurel Wreath”, and the heroes who had sacrificed themselves in battles, now entered the mithology, were settled down with great honours on a bed covered with laurels.

©National Geology Museum