Umbellularia (Nees) Nutt. (1842) is a genus of a single species, U. californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt. in the family Lauraceae, native of Oregon and California. It is variously called California bay, California laurel, California olive, myrtlewood, or pepperwood. Description Trees to 45m, or shrubs. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, shiny, yellowish-green, narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic, pinnately veined, to 10cm long, and aromatic but unpleasant. The flowers are bisexual, small, yellow, 5–10 in an umbel, with 6 petals, 12–16mm across. They open from autumn to spring. The stamens are short, usually 9, with 4 cells and 4 flaps. Pollination is presumed to be by insects. The fruits are berry-like, greenish to dark purple, 2cm across, with the swollen flower base forming a small cup. Key Recognition Features The yellow-green, narrow leaves, like those of Laurel, on a large tree. Evolution and Relationships In its cup-like, swollen flower base, 4-celled anthers, and pinnate veins, Umbellularia is close to Litsea (Lam.), which has around 400 species in tropical Asia, and 1 isolated along the southeastern coast of North America. Ecology and Geography Found in canyons and valleys at up to 1500m, from southern Oregon to Baja California. Comment The timber is used under the name pepperwood. It is said that to sniff the crushed leaves, or even to stand for long under the tree, can cause headaches. Photograph: Umbellularia californica in Adelaide Botanic Garden |
