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March 8, 2006 : Umbellularia californica
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Keywords: Lauraceae | Umbellularia californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt. | Chabot Regional Park, Oakland, California
Today's photographs are courtesy of Mary from San Lorenzo, California (aka (marymactavish@Flickr | Mary's wildflower photographs | BPotD Flickr Group Pool). Thank you Mary!
Mary has already written an excellent accompaniment to these photographs, so I'm going to direct you to see the original images for some written information and links: Umbellularia californica (flower), Umbellularia californica (habit) and (one not shown here) Umbellularia californica (nooks).
As Mary mentions, the common name for this tree in California is often California bay laurel or bay laurel, but in Oregon (the other state it can be found in), it is typically called Oregon myrtle. See Wikipedia's entry on Umbellularia californica for more information on this monotypic genus (there is only one species of Umbellularia!).
Invasive species / evolution resource links: A gall wasp introduced into Hawaii has become an invasive pest; it has the potential to exterminate some culturally-significant (and endemic) species of Erythrina (coral trees) on the islands. No known natural predators from the wasp's native region could be introduced to control the wasp because the wasp's origin was unknown. How does one quickly discover the native range of the wasp (and hopefully natural predators) before the Erythrina species go extinct? By using knowledge of evolution to predict where the wasp's native range is most likely to be. A story in four parts from The Questionable Authority weblog – (1) Applications of Evolution 1 - The Erythrina Gall Wasp, (2) But why should we save the Wiliwili?, (3) Applications of Evolution 1a - Hopelessly Watching Extinction and (4) Applications of Evolution - More on the gall wasp.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at March 8, 2006 12:00 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Elliott at March 8, 2006 5:13 AM
Umbellularia californica - Z8 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Umbellularia californica - Z7-9 - A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Brickell, Cole, Zuk
Posted by: Beverley at March 8, 2006 6:56 AM
Mary and Daniel - Thanks for the photos. I grew up on the central California coast and spent a lot of time in the canyons of the coast ranges. When I saw the photo, I could smell the bay laurel! And on this snowy day in Wyoming it is especially appealing.
Posted by: Hollis at March 8, 2006 7:54 AM
A great example of regional use of common names. Driving down the Redwood Highway from Grants Pass, Oregon, one passes many a roadside shop selling "Oregon Myrtle" wares, all the way up to the California border. Perhaps to the chagrin of Oregonians, the species epithet "californica" trumps all. However, the tree is very common in the mixed-evergreen forests of SW Oregon, as are a host of other "California" trees: knobcone and Jeffrey pines, canyon live oak, California black oak, and tanoak to name a few names.
Posted by: Matt at March 8, 2006 8:30 AM
I don't know if it is just me but when I am near the tree I get massive headaches. When completeing my PhD a student was extracting flavonoids from this plant and all in the lab were afflicted with the same condition.
seemingly the terpenoids in the leaves are the cause
Pierrot
Posted by: pierrot at March 8, 2006 8:55 AM
Speaking of multiple common names (and a nod to the previous post), I've heard this species referred to as the "headache tree." The leaves and wood are extremely aromatic- almost sickengly so.
Posted by: Matt at March 8, 2006 9:34 AM
Perhaps I've been affected by just thinking of this plant...I meant to say "sickeningly!"
Posted by: Matt at March 8, 2006 9:36 AM
Here in Humblodt County this tree is called the Pepperwood.
Posted by: Terri at March 8, 2006 9:58 AM
One in above picture looks like it has sooty mold fungus. Description in THE HILLIER MANUAL OF TREES & SHRUBS has long included the observation that "The 'old school' of gardeners indulged in extravagant stories of prostrate dowagers overcome by the powerful aroma." Separate specimens 150 feet high and 50 feet around (the trunk) recorded.
Posted by: Ron B at March 8, 2006 1:36 PM
My own story about this species is far less extravgant than the "prostrate dowager" ones, but I remember walking in Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon and being able to smell the trees as I approached them.
Posted by: Matt at March 8, 2006 2:11 PM
Is it true that the myrtlewood tree grows in Isreal as well as California and Oregon?
Posted by: Larry Mussallem at July 14, 2007 1:01 PM
It is a very lovely picture, worthy of picture of the day.
Posted by: Jane at October 21, 2008 9:00 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
Unfortunately our weather has been so atrocious in Yorkshire that we can't get these lovely plants to prosper.