Umbellularia californica is a large hardwood tree native to coastal forests and the Sierra foothills of California, and to coastal forests extending into Oregon. It is endemic to the California Floristic Province. It is the sole species in the genus Umbellularia.
Umbellularia
Naturalized occurrence of species in Snake Lake Park, Tacoma, Washington
The leaves are entire and lance-shaped about 3–10 centimetres (1.2–3.9 in) long. They may substitute for the Mediterranean bay leaf in cooking.
This tree, on Permanente Creek in Rancho San Antonio County Park, Santa Clara County, California, is one of the largest of its species in the state. Since this photograph, the tree was split, and half the tree broke off and fell in a storm. The other half is still thriving, and has more or less resumed the original canopy shape.
The bay leaf is an aromatic leaf commonly used as a herb in cooking. It can be used whole, either dried or fresh, in which case it is removed from the dish before consumption, or less commonly used in ground form. The flavor that a bay leaf imparts to a dish has not been universally agreed upon, but most agree it is a subtle addition.
Bay laurel leaves (Laurus nobilis)
Indian bay leaf Cinnamomum tamala
Indonesian bay leaf Syzygium polyanthum
