Umbellularia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iUmbellularia californica

Foliage and flowers

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
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 (the latter from the strong scent of the crushed foliage, which can cause a headache if breathed in to excess).

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.

Leaves

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 oval, 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.

[edit] Uses

Flowers open in late winter and early spring.

The Oregon Myrtle contains irritant or poisonous substances and no part of them should be consumed as food. This information gathered from: Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide. See references below.