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Umbellularia californica  (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt.
Bay laurel,   California bay,   California laurel, bay tree,   Oregon myrtle
© 2023 Mary Ann Machi
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2023 Mary Ann Machi
© 2015 Kelli Kallenborn
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2015 Friends of Five Creeks volunteers
© 2025 R.A. Chasey
© 2025 Alaine Arslan
© 2025 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2025 R.A. Chasey
© 2025 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2015 Ken Lunders
© 2019 Matt Berger
© 2018 Michelle Tollett
© 2022 David Strauch
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2018 David popp
© 2019 David popp
© 2024 Ryan O'Dell
© 2025 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2025 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2025 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2020 Diane Etchison
© 2020 Diane Etchison
© 2020 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2020 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2020 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2016 Steve Matson
© 2022 Barbara deGery
© 2023 Andy Ford
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2015 Diane Etchison
© 2014 Vertin Alvarez
Umbellularia californica is a tree that is native to California, and found only slightly beyond California borders.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
Genus: Umbellularia
Family: Lauraceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: magnoliid

Wetlands: Equally likely to occur in wetlands and non wetlands

Habitat: canyons

Communities: Redwood Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, wetland-riparian

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
JEFUmbellularia californica var. fresnensis
Information about  Umbellularia californica from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (UMCA)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Sudden Oak Death Pathogen Host: The tree is a host of the pathogen that causes sudden oak death. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Taxonomy, Common Names: The tree was formerly known as Oreodaphne californica.[3] In Yuki, it is called pōl’-cum ōl.[4] 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[5] or California laurel. It has also been called pepperwood, spicebush, cinnamon bush, peppernut tree, headache tree,[6] mountain laurel,[7] and balm of heaven.[7] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/29/2025).