California bay (Oregon myrtle) Umbellularia californica
California bay (Oregon myrtle) (Umbellularia californica) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Lauraceae family, native to Coast ranges and Sierra foothills of California and south-western Oregon. It grows 8–25 m (26–82 ft) tall and 6–15 m (20–49 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan California bay (Oregon myrtle) in your garden →
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California bay (Oregon myrtle) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lauraceae |
| Mature height | 8–25 m (26–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–15 m (20–49 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: leaves (seasoning, much stronger than bay laurel), roasted nuts (bay nuts) |
| Native to | Coast ranges and Sierra foothills of California and south-western Oregon |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is California bay (Oregon myrtle) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves (aroma)
The leaves release umbellulone, whose vapour can cause headaches and sinus pain in some people (“headache tree”).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with California bay (Oregon myrtle)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Avocado: Laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola), carried by redbay ambrosia beetles, kills avocado and wild laurels such as redbay and sassafras in the south-eastern US. Evidence B
Questions about California bay (Oregon myrtle)
- How far apart should I plant California bay (Oregon myrtle)?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–15 m (20–49 ft).
- Does California bay (Oregon myrtle) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does California bay (Oregon myrtle) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is California bay (Oregon myrtle)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does California bay (Oregon myrtle) flower?
- From about January for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is California bay (Oregon myrtle) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The leaves release umbellulone, whose vapour can cause headaches and sinus pain in some people (“headache tree”).
- What grows well with California bay (Oregon myrtle)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for California bay (Oregon myrtle). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- Calflora: information on California plants, Calflora (non-profit database), Berkeley, California
Notes and assumptions
- A dense evergreen tree with leaves so pungent that sniffing a crushed one can bring on a headache; used carefully, they season food like bay. Native peoples roasted the oily nuts. A host of the sudden oak death pathogen, which spreads from its leaves to oaks.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bay laurel Laurus nobilis
- Avocado Persea americana
- Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
- Ceylon cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
- Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) Cinnamomum cassia
- Sassafras Sassafras albidum
- Peumo (Chilean acorn tree) Cryptocarya alba