Guardian Nature School Team Contact Blog Project Noah Facebook Project Noah Twitter

A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife

Join Project Noah!
nature school apple icon

Project Noah Nature School visit nature school

California Bay Laurel

Umbellularia californica

Description:

Umbellularia californica is a large hardwood tree native to coastal forests of California and slightly extended into the state of Oregon. It is endemic to the California Floristic Province. It is the sole species in the genus Umbellularia. 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, spicebush, cinnamon bush, peppernut tree, headache tree, mountain laurel, and Balm of Heaven. The leaves, when rubbed, have a strong aromatic smell.

Notes:

The berries were lying under the tree, I presumed they were from this tree. This was a very large tree, much larger than the other ones I saw along the creek, so I didn't recognise it as a Bay Laurel.

Species ID Suggestions



Sign in to suggest organism ID

No Comments

pamsai
Spotted by
pamsai

Larkspur;Mill Valley, California, USA

Spotted on Oct 7, 2012
Submitted on Oct 7, 2012

Related Spottings

California Bay California bay California bay laurel California Bay Laurel

Nearby Spottings

Californian Sister Spotting Spotting English Ivy

Reference

Noah Guardians
Noah Sponsors
join Project Noah Team

Join the Project Noah Team