Umbellularia californica is a large hardwood tree native to coastal forests and the Sierra foothills of California, and to coastal forests extending into Oregon.[2] It is endemic to the California Floristic Province. It is the sole species in the genus Umbellularia.
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]
The tree's pungent leaves have a similar flavor to bay leaves, though stronger, and it may be mistaken for bay laurel. The dry wood has a color range from blonde (like maple) to brown (like walnut). It is considered an excellent tonewood and is sought after by luthiers and woodworkers.
The tree is a host of the pathogen that causes sudden oak death.
Naturalized occurrence of species in Snake Lake Park, Tacoma, Washington
^Stritch, L. (2018). "Umbellularia californica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T62572A68077480. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T62572A68077480.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Plants Used by the Indians of Mendocino, California.
^BSBI List 2007(xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
^Nassini, R.; et al. (2011). "The 'headache tree' via umbellulone and TRPA1 activates the trigeminovascular system". Brain. 135 (2): 376–90. doi:10.1093/brain/awr272. PMID 22036959.
^ abJohn Henry Clarke (1986). A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica. B. Jain Publishers/Médi-T. ISBN 978-81-7021-013-9.
Umbellularia californica is a large hardwood tree native to coastal forests and the Sierra foothills of California, and to coastal forests extending into...
headache-inducing monoterpene ketone found in the leaves of the tree Umbellularia californica, sometimes known as the "headache tree". It is hypothesized...
from eastern Australia Kalmia latifolia, from eastern North America Umbellularia californica, from north-western North America Laurel Mountain (disambiguation)...
and drying. California bay leaf. The leaf of the California bay tree (Umbellularia californica, Lauraceae), also known as California laurel, Oregon myrtle...
the family Myrtaceae native to the Caribbean California bay laurel (Umbellularia), a tree in the family Lauraceae native to western North America Bay...
Alabama The wood of Myrtus in the Mediterranean region The wood of Umbellularia in California and Oregon Myrtlewood (horse), American Thoroughbred racehorse...
clava-herculis, American Pepperwood Pseudowintera, New Zealand Pepperwood Umbellularia californica Pepperwood, California, a small town in the United States...
observed in California. In the San Francisco Bay Area, it is very common on Umbellularia californica. This fungus is a member of the G. applanatum group. It is...
Boldo (Peumus boldus) Borage (Borago officinalis) California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) Cao guo, Chinese black cardamom (Lanxangia tsaoko) (China)...
Adansonia Bay – Laurus spp. or Umbellularia spp. Bay laurel – Laurus nobilis (culinary) California bay – Umbellularia californica Bean – Fabaceae, specifically...
garryana), coast live oak (Q. agrifolia) and California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica). In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, A. californica can...
Global Information
