Myrtle-wood Umbellularia californica

California bay is a medium to a large native ornamental broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub that has an upright, dense, and rounded habit. In Oregon, it is known as the Oregon myrtle.  It may grow from 30 to 75 feet tall and 30 to 75 feet wide. It tends to grow larger near water and is more shrub-like in drier areas. The leaves are dark green, shiny, lanced-shaped, and aromatic. In the spring, tiny creamy-colored fragrant flowers appear in clusters. The fruits are rounded to elliptical and green to purple drupes that ripen in the fall. The foliage, twigs, and flowers of this tree are very aromatic. It is a member of the Lauraceae or Laurel family, and it is the only species in the genus Umbellularia.

This tree is native to southwest Oregon and portions of California. It is typically found in the Pacific coastal range, the Sierra Mountains, the southern portions of California, and northwest Mexico. They are found in moist canyons and near ponds or streams. The tree was introduced as an ornamental by David Douglas in 1829.

The genus name, Umbellularia, is derived from its umbel-shaped blooms. The species name, Californica, means "of California" which references its native habitat. Many of its common names are derived from the characteristics of its leaves, fruits, or wood.

The California bay prefers full sun to partial shade. It requires moist, loamy, sandy, or clay soils with an acid to neutral pH. This tree does well in coastal forests and along stream edges. It can be trained to be a large shrub, but heavy pruning should be avoided. 

The California bay is not related to the myrtle or laurel trees of the Mediterranean. This tree's wood is typically used for woodworking commercially. The USDA recommends exercising caution if using any portion of this tree as food, seasoning, or medication because of its strong chemical properties. This tree should not be used as a source of bay leaves used in cooking.

The leaves of the California bay release pungent oils when they are crushed or torn.  Contact with the leaves may cause skin irritation in some people, and the fragrance may also cause sneezing and headaches.

This tree is enjoyed by birds and small mammals as a source of food, shelter, and habitat. Consider this tree in a park or open space for shade or screening. It may also be used on banks and slopes for soil stabilization. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:  Year-round   Bloom:  Spring      Foliage:  Year-round       Fruit:  Fall     

Quick ID Hints:

• aromatic, broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub
• mature bark reddish-brown and scaly
• aromatic, smooth. slender twigs that are light green initially and turn grayish-brown with maturity
• aromatic dark green, lance-shaped leaves, upper surface smooth and shiny, lower surface dull light green and smooth to sparsely hairy
• tiny fragrant creamy-white to pale yellow flowers arranged in short-stemmed umbels of 4 to 9 flowers 
• small round to elliptical drupe ranging in colors of green, greenish-yellow, or purple

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The California bay has no serious insect problems.  Beetle borers, leaf blotch miner, thrips, and cushion scale may be seen. It is the primary host of a fungus that causes a disease known as Sudden Oak Death.  Armillaria or Honey fungus, anthracnose, and white mottled rot may also occur. This tree is also susceptible to wind and snow damage in its native habitat due to severe wind and rainstorms. 

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University