Buy Umbellularia californica

This wonderfully aromatic tree is known by many names! Here in Oregon we call it the Oregon Myrtle, Californians the California Bay. Also known as: spicebush, pepperwood, cinnamon bush, laurel and headache tree! This pretty 30-40' (or larger) multi-trunked tree has glossy, deep-green, very aromatic leaves (although they can be used in cooking, they are not "bay leaves", which are Laurus nobilis). Small yellow flowers in spring become interesting and edible nut-like fruits. Found growing in mixed coastal woodlands in Oregon and California, it tolerates clay and serpentine soils. Its wood is useful as a fine tonewood for instruments and was once used as emergency currency in North Bend Or. This special tree was also used by Native American tribes for both food and medicine. S-PSh/M-D

The only plant in its genus, it is a large, round tree at maturity. Evergreen leaves are intensely fragrant when crushed. Large, olive-like fruits in autumn. Myrtlewood is highly prized for its workability, fragrance, and burnished beauty.

Handsome evergreen tree, to 80 feet when fully mature (80-100 years). The leaves are aromatic like its cousin from Greece. Native to the mountains of California and into Oregon. It likes sun in the mountains and along the coast, but in the interior give part shade and moderate water. Thrives in fairly moist soils, but tolerates serpentine soil as well. Releases terpenes that inhibit seedlings (weeds). Surprisingly enough, this species is also good in containers. Leaves used in cooking for the pungent odor when bruised. The wood is valued for fine woodworking. Native to California and is found only slightly beyond California borders. Important canopy plant along with madrone and coast live oak in mixed evergreen forests. Deer find the leaves unpalatable. Be careful where planted as California Bay is the primary foliar host for Sudden Oak Death (SOD). Poultices of the leaves were used to treat rheumatism and neuralgias; was made to treat stomach aches, colds, sore throats, and to clear up mucus in the lungs. The leaves were steeped in hot water to make an infusion that was used to wash sores. Found in found in canyons and valleys. Communitites located in Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Redwood Forest, Wetland-riparian Between 0 and 5000 feet.

California bay laurel, California bay or Oregon myrtle. Aromatic, evergreen shrub or tree, growing to 75' tall and over 100' wide in the wild. Ascending branches with rounded crown up to 60'. In gardens it tends to grow more slowly, reaching 20-25' tall and wide and is often multi-trunked. Thick oblong deep yellow-green leaves are glossy, 2-5? long with pointed tips, and are intensely aromatic when crushed, causing nausea and headaches in some people. Tiny yellowish flowers provide a yellow cast in spring and are followed by inedible, olive-like fruits that turn purple. Give full sun or partial shade. Grows best and fastest in deep, fertile, well-drained soil with regular water, but tolerates other conditions, including aridity. Has a very neat appearance, making a good screen, background plant, tall hedge, patio tree or street tree. Leaves may be used for seasoning in cooking. Exceedingly tolerant of shade throughout its life. Same family as the tree that furnished the ?classical? victory wreath. Hardy to 10F. Western North America particularly Oregon to San Diego.

Blooms: yellow/ evergreen, aromatic leathery leaves Zone 7-9. 8'-30', PNW, shade-sun, moist-dry, well drained

Oregon Myrtle. The source of the famous Oregon Myrtlewood. If you are a young woodworker, plant these for your waning years and you can turn a lovely funerary urn to hold your ashes. A great evergreen tree with aromatic leaves often used as a bay leaf substitiute.

One of those special plants from the Siskyou-Klamath bio-region, this avocado relative is a most unique member of our West Coast flora. A slow-growing evergreen tree with tough, very dark green leaves; it can also be compared to Laurus nobilis (bay laurel) from the Mediterranean region in habit and uses, though it is hardier and may grow much larger in the Northwest. All parts of the plant have an exceptionally strong aroma which is pleasing in small doses but can be overpowering if you aren't prepared for it! And it even makes fruit that look like little avocados—don't try eating them, though—yuck! It also yields an excellent quality wood that is strong, smooth-grained, pleasingly fragrant, and prized by woodworkers. A moderate grower (slow on dry sites), in Seattle it eventually grows as tall as 60-90' and often reseeds itself: it could easily be native here if time and chance had allowed. If 90' seems a bit much, it can also be clipped into a low maintenance hedge. Although perfectly drought tolerant, access to moisture will encourage much faster growth. It's generally easy to grow and I think deserves more experimentation in other parts of the USA. Not a good permanent outdoor container specimen, despite its impressive top-hardiness, if the roots freeze it's dead. Hardy to -10 °F.