# California bay (*Umbellularia californica*) The California bay tree is a tall, evergreen tree with shiny leaves that smell wonderful! It grows in California and is known for its tasty leaves that can be used in cooking. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Forests ![California bay](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Umbellularia_californica_02.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Umbellularia_californica_02.jpg) ## Appearance The California bay is an evergreen tree with dense, shiny, leathery dark green leaves that are long and pointed. Its small, greenish-yellow flowers grow in clusters, often appearing at the end of winter. The tree has smooth, grayish-brown bark. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Laurales - **Family:** Lauraceae - **Genus:** Umbellularia ## Interesting facts - Native Americans roasted and ate its spicy nuts, tasting a bit like coffee! - Rubbing its leaves releases a strong, spicy scent that can clear a stuffy nose! - The California bay can live for hundreds of years, becoming a forest giant! - This tree's wood is so hard, it's called "Oregon Myrtle" and used for fancy bowls. ## Special abilities - **Scent Shield:** California bay has strongly aromatic leaves filled with pungent oils that help it deter hungry browsers. - **Drought Buster:** California bay can survive dry spells with its deep root system and tough, leathery leaves that conserve water. - **Regrowth Power:** California bay can resprout vigorously from its base after fires, helping it recover quickly in its habitat. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 300-4000 cm - **Spread:** 200-1500 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late winter to early spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits small flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eats:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — Feeds on the tree's fleshy fruits and nuts. - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses on the leaves, especially new growth. - **Shelter:** [Spotted Towhee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-towhee) (*Pipilo maculatus*) — Nests and forages within the dense foliage. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Spice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spice): This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't eat any leaves without asking an adult first, even if they smell good! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify California bay? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is California bay? 300-4000 cm ### How wide does California bay spread? 200-1500 cm ### How big are the flowers on California bay? 1-2 cm ### When does California bay bloom? Late winter to early spring ### Is California bay edible? Yes ### Is California bay toxic? Mild ### What is California bay's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Gaviota State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gaviota-state-park) — California, US · State Park - [Azalea State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/azalea-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chumash-painted-cave-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Iron Horse Regional Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/iron-horse-regional-trail) — California, US · Trail - [Leaning Pine Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leaning-pine-arboretum) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Santa Barbara Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santa-barbara-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see California bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/california-bay) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [California bay: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-bay)