Umbellularia californica, California Bay (5)

The habitat of the California Bay ranges from southern California to southern Oregon and from sea level to about 5000 feet (Stuart and Sawyer, 2001). California Bays have a tremendous ability to withstand harsh coastal environments, but prefer bottomlands, riparian habitats, and other areas with moisture and nutrient rich soils. In the hills and valleys of grassland California, they are usually found along streams. In wetter environments, they can be intermixed with broad leaved and coniferous forests. The California Bay is tolerant of Serpentine soils, though it usually grows in a stunted habit on Serpentine outcrops (Barbour and Major, 1988).

The leaves of the California Bay are leathery and elliptical, and about 2 inches to 3 inches long. They are usually dark green. When crushed, they are very aromatic. The leaves contain a natural version of the active chemicals in aspirin and were used by Native Californians as an insect repellent (Cockrell, 1978). The chemicals in the leaves retard the growth of some herbaceous species that would otherwise grow under California Bays (Stuart and Sawyer, 2001). The leaf is also used as an herb in cooking.

California Bays are single or multi stemmed and have thick bark that can appear fractured. Older trees have large burls at their bases. They wood from the burl is sometimes used for ornamental purposes, such as in the interior trimming of expensive cars. The California Bay produces small flowers that are greenish yellow. These flowers mature into small fruit that hang from the branches.