California laurel

Umbellularia californica
Foliage and flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Magnoliids
Order:	Laurales
Family:	Lauraceae
Genus:	Umbellularia (C.G.D.Nees) Nuttall
Species:	U. californica
Binomial name
Umbellularia californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt.

Umbellularia californica is a tree native to coastal forests of western North America. Its pungent leaves have a similar flavor to bay leaves (though stronger), and it may be mistaken for Bay Laurel.

In Oregon, this tree is known as Oregon Myrtle, while in California it is called California Bay Laurel, which may be shortened to California Bay or California Laurel. It has also been called Pepperwood and Headache Tree.

It is the sole species in the genus Umbellularia. It ranges near the coast from Douglas County, Oregon south through California to San Diego County. It is also found in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It occurs at altitudes from sea level up to 1600 m.

It is an evergreen tree growing to 30 m tall (exceptionally 45 m) with a trunk up to 80 cm thick. The leaves are smooth-edged and lens shaped, 3–10 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, similar to the related Bay Laurel though usually narrower, and without the crinkled margin of that species. The flowers are small, yellow or yellowish-green, produced in a small umbel (hence the scientific name Umbellularia, "little umbel"). The fruit is a round and green berry 2–2.5 cm long and 2 cm broad, lightly spotted with yellow, maturing purple. It consists of a fleshy covering over a single hard, thin-shelled seed. The California Bay is the primary foliar host for Sudden Oak Death (SOD).

Uses

The leaf was used by western U.S Native Americans as a cure for headache, toothache, and earache—though the volatile oils in the leaves may also cause headaches when used in excess. Native Americans also ate the ripe fruits. The leaf is sometimes used in cooking, but is much stronger than the more commercially available Bay Laurel leaf.^[1]

Other sources indicate it is used in woodworking. The wood is very hard and fine, and is made into bowls, spoons, and other small items and sold as "myrtlewood". It is also grown as an ornamental tree, both in its native area, and elsewhere further north up the Pacific coast to Vancouver in Canada, and in western Europe. It is occasionally used for firewood.

U. californica is a tonewood used to construct the back and sides of acoustic guitars.

Pathology

California Bay Laurel is an important host of Sudden oak death and often reside in forests with Tanoaks, which are also vulnerable to the disease.

Gallery

Leaves

Flowers open in late winter and early spring.

Notes

References

• Flora of North America: Umbellularia californica
• Jepson Flora Project: Umbellularia californica
• "Paleotechnics: The California Bay Laurel"
• "Encyclopedia of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and Vines"
• UC Tries to Stop Northward Movement of Sudden Oak Death

External links

• MeSH: Umbellularia - Umbellularia californica (California Bay Laurel)

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