California Bay Laurel
Umbellularia californica
The California Bay Laurel is a broad-crowned, multi-trunked tree, ranging in size from 12 to 24 m. The young tree typically has a single, erect trunk with smooth gray bark; however, as the tree ages, more trunks grow — up to 5 — and the once-straight trunks lean over, in an elegant swoop. The bark becomes scaled and dark as well. The fragrant evergreen leaves are typically 3-10 cm long, though they can be over 15, and 1.5-3 cm wide. Dark green in color, these pungent leaves are often confused with bay leaves, though they are more peppery in scent. The small yellowish-green flowers are a mere 2 mm in diameter and are produced in umbels, or clusters. The round green berry, 2.5 cm long and 2 cm wide, resembles a mini avocado with a pit.
Basic Information
Member of the Lauraceae (Laurel) family
Evergreen
Can live over 200 years
Habitat
Native from southern California to southern Oregon
In California, it is found along the Klamath Range, Coast Ranges, Transverse Range and Sierra foothills and is especially common between Sonoma and Santa Cruz Counties
Commonly found in oak woodlands, chaparral, mixed woodlands, redwood forests, and riparian areas
Ecological Role
Dusky-footed woodrats, squirrels, mice, and birds eat the fruit
Deer browse on leaves, which are high in protein
Leaves deter ectoparasites (fleas, etc.)
Dusky-footed woodrats collect leafy twigs for stick houses
Host of sudden oak death pathogen on leaves in the form of black spores
Reproduction
Blooms from December-May
Monoecious, with male and female organs on the same tree
The flowers are bisexual, or perfect, with both male and female reproductive structures
Berry produced October-November
Alternative Names
Bay Laurel, Oregon Myrtle, Peppernut, California bay, California laurel, pepperwood, spicebush, cinnamon bush, peppernut tree, headache tree, mountain laurel, balm of heaven
The Concow tribe call the plant sō-ē’-bä
Historical Uses
This tree has been long valued by Native American people including Cahuilla, Chumash, Ohlone, Pomo, Miwok, Yuki, Coos, and Salinan tribes
The leaves were used medicinally to treat rheumatism, neuralgias, stomach aches, headaches, colds, sore throats, and to clear up mucus in the lungs
Both the flesh and the inner kernel of the fruit were eaten
The dried flesh of the fruit, or mesocarp, was eaten raw, though it is only palatable for only a brief time when ripe; prior to this window the volatile aromatic oils are too strong, and afterwards the flesh quickly becomes bruised
The pit, which contains a fatty white nut inside a hard shell, was also roasted to remove the pungency and leave a spicy flavor
Roasted, shelled bay nuts were eaten whole, or ground into powder and prepared as a drink like unsweetened chocolate or a cake
The flavor ranges from "roast coffee" to "dark chocolate"
The leaves can be used to repel mosquitoes, and were placed in acorn baskets to keep them from being infested
Additional Information
Myrtlewood (the wood of the California Laurel) is the only wood still in use as a base "metal" for legal tender. In the 1930s, the only bank in the town of North Bend, Oregon was forced to temporarily close, creating a cash-flow crisis for the city. The city solved this problem by minting its own currency on myrtlewood discs. These coins, ranging in value from 25 cents to $10, were used to pay employees with the promise that they would be redeemed in cash as soon as possible. However, when the bank reopened, many people opted to keep their myrtlewood tokens as collector's items. Ultimately, the city announced that the tokens would remain legal tender in the city of North Bend in perpetuity. The unredeemed tokens have become very valuable, with fewer than 10 full sets are believed to exist.
