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| ## California laurel {#california-laurel .Title-Header}               |
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| *Umbellularia californica* (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt.                       |
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| Plant Symbol = UMCA                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.185416666666667in" height="2.136111111111111in"}

**Warning**: **[The oils in California laurel leaves may produce toxic
effects in some people (Stone 1993).]{.underline}**

# Alternate Names

Balm of heaven, bay, bay laurel, cajeput, California bay, California
olive, cinnamon bush, laurel, mountain laurel, myrtle, Oregon myrtle,
peppernut tree, pepperwood, sassafras laurel, spicebush, spice-tree; two
varieties are recognized, *A*. *c*. var. *californica* and *A*. *c*.
var. *fresnensis*.

#####  

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: The Cahuilla, Chumash, Pomo, Miwok, Yuki, and Salinan
are among the California tribes that value California laurel trees for
its many uses.

All parts of the plant, but especially the leaves, contain an aromatic
camphor-like volatile oil that has cooling, irritant, insecticidal and
germicidal qualities (Chestnut 1902). Laurel leaves were tucked into and
under hats or into headbands made of laurel twigs to relieve headaches
(Barrett & Gifford 1933). The Salinan tribe treated sudden fits and
probably headaches by making a headband of the aromatic laurel leaves
(Heinsen 1972). The Catholic Fathers at Mission San Antonio de Padua,
borrowing from Salinan medicinal practices, made a hot poultice of
laurel leaves mixed with nutmeg, cinnamon, and olive oil, which was
repeatedly applied to the head of persons suffering fits until they
regained consciousness. The Kashaya Pomo made a poultice of laurel
leaves that was used to treat rheumatism and neuralgia (Goodrich et al.
1980). The Pomo and Yuki tribes of Mendocino County treated headaches by
placing a single leaf in the nostril or bathing the head with a laurel
leaf infusion (Chestnut 1902).

Laurel leaf tea was drunk to treat stomachaches, colds, sore throats,
and to clear up mucus in the lungs (Chestnut 1902, Goodrich et al. 1980,
Timbrook 1990). The leaves were steeped in hot water to make an infusion
that was used to wash sores (Goodrich et al. 1980). Laurel leaves were
steeped in baths for rheumatic patients. Infusions of the leaves were
used to rid the head of lice. Leaves and branches were placed around the
yard to discourage fleas.

Both the flesh and the inner kernel of the olive-like fruit were used as
food. The fruits were sun dried until the fleshy outer part had split
and loosened from the pit (Goodrich et al. 1980). The dried flesh was
removed from the seeds ready to eat. Only the bottom third of the outer
dried fruit was eaten as the upper, thinner part contains a higher
concentration of the acrid oil that is a component of all parts of the
tree (Chestnut 1902). The seeds were roasted until they were crisp and
brown (Goodrich et al. 1980). The roasting removes much of the pungency
and leaves just a hint of acridity and gives the roasted nuts a spicy or
coffee-like flavor. The parched nuts are then shelled and either eaten
whole or pounded into a meal. The oily meal is easily pressed into small
cakes that are then sun-dried and stored for use in the winter. Both the
nuts and the cakes were served with clover, seaweed, buckeye meal, or
acorn meal and mush. The roasted seeds were eaten as an accompaniment
with clover in order to prevent bloating (Murphey 1959). The seed meal
was also made into a beverage that tasted "like chocolate" (Kelly 1978).

California laurel was an important ceremonial plant for the Kashaya Pomo
(Goodrich et al. 1980). Branches were placed around the house to protect
households against harm. Chumash hunters burned laurel leaves to attract
and stupefy deer (Timbrook 1990).

*Wildlife*: Black-tailed deer browse on the leaves and twigs, which are
high in protein (Howard 1992). Birds, squirrels, and other small mammals
eat the seeds. Wild pigs eat the seeds and the roots. The trees provide
valuable cover for deer, black bear, wild pigs, game birds, and
songbirds.

*Conservation*: California laurel has been used to restore wildlife
habitat, riparian vegetation, and flood controls (Howard 1992).

*Wood products*: California laurel is a high quality wood that is used
for cabinetry, furniture, paneling, and interior trim.

*Other*: California laurel leaves are used as a more robust seasoning
substitute for sweet bay leaves (*Laurus nobilis*) in cooking.

# Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

# Description

######## General: Laurel family (Lauraceae). California laurel is a perennial, evergreen tree or shrub that is native to California and southern Oregon. The trees have many slender erect branches and a dense crown that can be rounded to pyramidal in shape. The height is variable depending on conditions and the plants can grow from 3 to 45 meters tall. The smallest forms are found under dry conditions and they reach their greatest size on deep alluvial soils near rivers. 

######## 

######## The greenish to reddish brown bark, which is thin and smooth on young trees, begins to peel and shed as the trees mature. The alternately arranged leaves are oblong to lance-shaped (2.5 to 11 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm wide). Leaves are glossy dark yellow-green, thick, and leathery. When crushed, the leaves give off a strong peppery menthol-like odor, which is the reason the early European settlers gave the tree the name pepperwood. The small yellow-green flowers are borne in clusters of 6 to 10 flowers. The round olive-like fruits (1 to 2.5cm in diameter) turn from green to deep brown-purple. Inside the fruit is a single large seed, which is a white kernel surrounded by a light brown shell. 

*Distribution*: California laurel is distributed from San Diego County
to Northwestern California and into southwestern Oregon. In California,
it occurs in both the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada. For current
distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on
the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: California laurel trees are abundant near water sources in
alluvial flood plains as well as shady hillsides and canyons below 1600
meters. The trees occur in oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forest,
redwood forest, and chaparral. In chaparral communities they grow in
canyons, valleys, and sometimes in high rocky areas were they are able
tap into moisture.

# Adaptation![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.8958333333333335in" height="1.9652777777777777in"}

California bay can regenerate after fires of light to moderate intensity
(Howard 1992). The trees can sprout from the root crown and seed
germination may increase following fires.

# Establishment

California laurel is a versatile, medium to fast growing tree that can
be used for specimen, hedge, and container plantings. California laurel
tolerates a wide range of conditions and does well in full sun to deep
shade. The trees grow fastest and tallest in deep, fertile soils that
are well drained, with regular water availability. California laurel
trees can tolerate dry conditions but are known to dieback during
droughts (Labadie 1978).

California laurel is propagated from fresh seeds. Seeds can be collected
from October to December (Mirov & Kraebel 1939). The seeds are mature
when they are dark brown and the fruits are dark purple (Young 2001).
Labadie (1978) suggests lightly cracking the seeds before planting to
increase germination. Hildreth & Johnson (1976) recommend 90-120 days of
cold stratification for best germination. To do this, mix the seeds with
3 parts of loose soil or a mixture of equal parts peat moss and perlite.
Lightly moisten the mixture and place it into a plastic bag that can be
tightly sealed. Place the bag in a refrigerator kept at 30-42°F and
examine them periodically for signs of germination. The seeds generally
take around 93 days to germinate. If any of the seeds begin to
germinate, plant them immediately keeping in mind that the primary root
is first to emerge from the seed. The seeds may be planted directly into
4x4x14 inch containers filled with a standard potting mix of peat moss,
fir bark, perlite and sand (Young 2001). Transplant container grown
seedlings when they are under 1 year old if possible.

# Management

Young trees can be trained to form a single trunk by pruning the suckers
as they appear (Labadie 1978). Mature trees can be thinned to reduce the
deep shading that their dense canopies can produce. Although evergreen,
the trees drop an abundance of leaves, especially in the autumn.

# Pests and Potential Problems

California laurel is relatively free of insect pests but can be affected
by aphids, greedy scale, ivy scale, soft brown scale, thrups, white fly,
laurel white fly, leaf blotch miner, and inconspicuous white fly
(Labadie 1978). Heart rot, caused by the fungus *Ganoderma applanatum*
can be controlled by cutting down infected trees to a height of 20cm and
allowing them to stump sprout (Howard 1992).

##### 

# Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

California laurel trees are readily available from commercial nurseries.
There is a variety, *U.* *californica* var. *fresnensis,* which occurs
in Fresno County, California (Howard 1992). Contact your local Natural
Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service)
office for more information. Look in the phone book under "United States
Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed
under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

# References

Barrett, S.A. & E.W. Gifford 1933. *Miwok material culture: Indian life
of the Yosemite region.* Bulletin of Milwaukee Public Museum Vol. 2, No.
4. Yosemite Association, Yosemite National Park, California. 388 pp.

Brenzel, K.N., Editor 2001. *Western garden book*. Sunset Publishing
Corp., Menlo Park, California. 768 pp.

Chestnut, V.K. 1902. *Plants used by the Indians of Mendocino County,
California*. Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium Vol. VII.
Reprinted 1974 by Mendocino County Historical Society. 422 pp.

Emery, D.E. 1988. *Seed propagation of native California plants*. Santa
Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, California. 115 pp.

Goodrich, J., C. Lawson & V.P. Lawson 1980. *Kashaya Pomo Plants*.
Heyday Books, Berkeley, California. 171 pp.

Heinsen, V. 1972. *Mission San Antonio de Padua* *Herbs: Medicinal herbs
of early days*. Third edition. Lockwood. California. 142 pp.

Hildreth, W.R. & S. R. Johnson 1976. *Seed propagation at the Saratoga
Horticultural Foundation.* Pacific Horticulture Vol. 37, No. 4. Pp.
49-57.

Howard, J.L. 1992. *Umbellularia californica.* U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire
Sciences Laboratory (2002, February). *Fire Effects Information System*,
\[Online\]. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ \[22 February
2002\].

Jepson, W. L. 1911. *A flora of western middle California*. Second
Edition. Cunningham, Curtiss & Welch, San Francisco, California. 515 pp.

Kelly, I. 1978. *Coast Miwok* in *Handbook of North American Indians,
Vol. 8, California*, R.F. Heizer, Ed. Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C. Pp 414-425.

Labadie, E.L. 1978. *Native plants for use in the California landscape.*
Sierra City Press, Sierra City, California. 248 pp.

Mirov, N.T. & C.J. Kraebel. 1939. *Collecting and handling seeds of wild
plants.* Civilian Conservation Corps Forestry Publication No. 5. US.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 42 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1998 Native *American ethnobotany*. Timber Press,
Portland, Oregon. 927 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1999. *Native American Ethnobotany Database: Foods, drugs,
dyes and fibers of native North American Peoples. The University of
Michigan-Dearborn.* \[Online\]. Available:

<http://www.umd.umich.edu/cgi-bin/herb>

(2002).

Murphey, E.V.A. 1959. *Indian uses of native plants.* Mendocino County
Historical Society, Fort Bragg, California. 81 pp.

Parsons, M. E. 1966. *The wild flowers of California.* Dover
Publications, Inc., New York, New York. 425 pp.

Stone, W. J. 1993. Lauraceae: Laurel Family In: J.D. Hickman, Editor.
*The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California.* University of
California Press, Berkeley, California. Pp. 734.

Timbrook, J. 1990 Ethnobotany *of Chumash Indians, California, based on
collections by John P. Harrington.* Economic Botany Vol. 44, No. 2. Pp
235-253.

Young, B. 2001. *Propagation protocol of container* Umbellularia
californica *(Hook & Arn.) Nutt. plants (Treeband 14).* *Golden Gate
National Parks, San Francisco, California*. IN: Native Plant Network
\[Online\] Available: http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org. Moscow (ID):
University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources, Forest Research
Nursery \[2 February 2001\].

# Prepared By: 

######## Diana L. Immel

Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center,

c/o Environmental Horticulture Department,

University of California, Davis, California

# Species Coordinator: 

##### *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center,

c/o Plant Sciences Department, University of California, Davis,
California

##### 

##### Edited: 060818 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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