California Bay (Umbellularia californica) Login         


        Description
  • EW Bloom
  • Height to 60 feet.
  • The foliage of this classic California tree smells like bay leaves.
  • Clusters of small flowers grow at the end of branches where new leaves emerge.
  • Flowers turn into a plump 1 inch fruit resembling avocados, to which the tree is related.
  • CA Native - endemic to the California Floristic Province.
  • AKA California Bay Laurel, Bay Tree, Bay Laurel, Oregon Myrtle
  • Laurel Family (Lauraceae)



Leaves are fairly narrow, with a central vein and smooth edges, ending in a point. They have a leathery feel, and a spicy smell when crushed.



Green fruit turns purple when mature. Leathery skin covers oily flesh that surrounds a pit (similar to avocado).



Bay Laurels can grow to be substantial trees, thickly covered with their spicy-smelling leaves.

   Photo Gallery (69 ) click any picture to enlarge
    

Leaves are stiff, flat, oblong, up to 4" long, and pointed. They have smooth edges, different from similar Toyon leaves which have toothed edges. ...

Leaves are shiny green on top and turn yellow in the fall. Fruits start out green with yellow and purple spots, grow to about 1" across, and turn ...

6-10 tiny flowers form in a half sphere, radiating from a central point like an umbrella. Umbellularia comes from the Latin for umbrella. Notice t ...

Each flower has 6 petal-like [[sepals]] that surround about a dozen [[stamens]]. Orange [[nectaries]] at the flower base offer a reward to pollin ...

Flower clusters grow at the end of stalks. Generally one fruit will mature from a cluster.