leafs out

It was the Greek nymph Daphne that was being chased by Apollo who asked to be changed into another form.

So Athena helped by transforming her into a Laurel tree.

As such the Laurel tree became sacred to Apollo.

The Laurel was said to give visionary powers and as such the Delphic Oracle used to chew the Laurel leaves to induce visionary powers.

The Laurel was also hung on doorways to keep ghosts away.