Apollo and Daphne is transformed into a laurel tree. The myth of Apollo and Daphne has been examined as a battle between chastity (Daphne) and sexual desire (Apollo). As Apollo lustfully pursues Daphne, she is saved through her metamorphosis and confinement into the laurel tree which can be seen as an act of eternal chastity. Daphne is forced to sacrifice her body and become the laurel tree as her only form of escape from the pressures of Apollo's constant sexual desires. Apollo crafts himself a wreath out of her laurel branches and turning her symbol of chastity into a cultural symbol for him
Laurel forest water despite the humidity, allowing perspiration and respiration. The scientific names "laurina", "laurifolia", "laurophylla", "lauriformis", and "lauroides" are often used to name species of other plant families that resemble the Lauraceae. The term "Lucidophyll", referring to the shiny surface of the leaves, was proposed in 1969 by Tatuo Kira. The scientific names "Daphnidium", "Daphniphyllum", "Daphnopsis", "Daphnandra", "Daphne" from Greek: Δάφνη, meaning "laurel", "laural", "Laureliopsis", "laureola", "laurelin", "Laurelindorinan", "laurifolia", "Cistus laurifolius" (Laurel Rockrose), "laurifolius", "lauriformis", "laurina", "laurophylla", "laurocerasus", "laurus", "Prunus laurocerasus" (English laurel), "Prunus lusitanica" (Portugal laurel), "Corynocarpus laevigatus" (New Zealand Laurel), and "Corynocarpus rupestris" designate species of other plant families