The Lauraceae are characterized by:

• Habit:  trees, shrubs (1 genus parasitic twining herbs)
• Leaves:  alternate or opposite, simple, entire; estipulate; usually punctate and strongly scented
• Plants:  synoecious (rarely dioecious)
• Inflorescence:  paniculiform/umbelliform cymes, racemes, spikes, heads
• Perianth:  tepals 6 in 2 whorls of 3, distinct or basally connate; flowers regular
• Stamens:  9-15 in whorls of 3, distinct; dehiscing by oblong, lifted lids
• Ovary:  1 carpel, superior or inferior, 1 locule, 1 apical ovule, style 1
• Fruit:  berry or drupe