Lauraceae FAMILY

Umbellularia californica

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The foliage can cause skin irritations[ 1 Title RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Publication Author F. Chittendon. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1951 ISBN - Description Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]). , 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ]. A volatile oil in the leaves can cause sneezing and headaches if inhaled[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ].

Botanical Description

Umbellularia californica is a much-branched evergreen shrub or a tree with a dense, rounded to pyramidal crown; it usually grows from 3 - 25 metres tall. The smallest forms are found under dry conditions, the plants reaching their greatest size on deep alluvial soils near rivers[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. , 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ]. A multipurpose plant it was commonly used by native N. Americans to provide food, medicines and a range of products. The wood is highly valued and is often harvested for commercial use; the plant is used in modern herbalism; it is a popular wild-harvested food; whilst the leaves are sold commercially as a food flavouring. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouth-western N. America - California to Oregon

HabitatCanyons and valleys, lower mountain slopes, flatlands, alluvial flood plains, hillsides etc, on various soils and often in shade; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[ 62 Title A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Publication Author Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. Publisher Van Nostrand Reinhold Year 1982 ISBN 0442222009 Description Very readable. , 94 Title Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Publication Author Sweet. M. Publisher Naturegraph Co. Year 1962 ISBN 0-911010-54-8 Description Useful wild plants in Western N. America. A pocket guide. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ]. The best specimens are found in deep rich soils of valley bottoms[ 229 Title The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Publication Author Elias. T. Publisher Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. Year 1980 ISBN 0442238622 Description A very good concise guide. Gives habitats, good descriptions, maps showing distribution and a few of the uses. It also includes the many shrubs that occasionally reach tree proportions. ].