Blacklaurel, an evergreen shrub up to 5 feet in height, is the only 

 member of the genus Leucothoe of the heath family (Ericaceae) 

 native to western America. The species is limited to California, 

 growing in moist sites in the subalpine zones of the central and 

 northern Sierras, and in the Coast Range in Mendocino and Trinity 

 Counties. The origin of the common name, blacklaurel, is some- 

 what obscure. The eastern ericaceous shrubs, notably kalmias and 

 rhododendrons, were called laurels by the early settlers because of 

 the superficial resemblance of their leathery, evergreen leaves to 

 those of the laurel tree (Laurus nobilis) of southern Europe, crowns 

 of which were worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a sign 

 of victory in athletic sports, or other distinction. In North America 

 the term "laurel" is now loosely applied to numerous ericaceous 

 shrubs. The name blacklaurel probably originated because of the 

 black stems or possibly the dark green leaves of this species, which 

 are a decided contrast to the rather paler stems and the light-colored 

 leaves of western azalea (Azalea occidentalis) , also frequently called 

 laurel. 



Blacklaurel is seldom abundant, occurring only in isolated patches, 

 frequently at widely separated points. It characteristically grows 

 in loose colonies. The stems are typically solitary and unbranched, 

 of irregular lengths, and usually bent from the weight of repeated, 

 heavy winter snows. This shrub prefers moist, shady areas, grow- 

 ing under lodgepole pine, along moist meadow and stream borders, 

 and on moist slopes in company with red fir and Jeffrey and white 

 pines. Alders, spireas, and smooth Labrador-tea (Ledum gland- 

 ulosum) are frequently shrubby associates of blacklaurel. Some- 

 times it is so mixed with smooth Labrador-tea that the two may 

 not be easily distinguishable, except when in flower. Smooth Lab- 

 rador-tea, however, is more bushlike and has many angular branches 

 that are densely leafy near tho summits; the fragrant leaves are 

 glandular-dotted and felty below, and closely subtend the numerous 

 crowded, rather flattened and distinct-petaled flowers. 



Blacklaurel is of very low palatability and is probably but rarely 

 grazed by cattle and only occasionally by sheep. Sheep, however, 

 do graze it when hungry, especially when leaving bedgrounds and on 

 long drives. Even this limited use is undesirable, as the foliage is 

 very poisonous. Marsh x states that "experimental work shows that 

 very small quantities will poison sheep and that death may be pro- 

 duced by between 1 and 2 ounces" of the green foliage. The symp- 

 toms are irregular respiration, frothing at the mouth, vomiting, 

 grinding of the teeth, weakness and a staggering gait, and, in severe 

 cases, inability to stand. Practically the only remedy is to admin- 

 ister some such purgative as Epsom salts to expedite elimination of 

 the poisonous material. The wisest procedure for the sheepman is 

 to instruct his herders to avoid blacklaurel patches. 



Blacklaurel plants range from 2 to 5 feet in height. The dark green, oblong 

 leaves vary from 1 to 3 inches in length and are alternately arranged on the 

 straight, leafy stems. The small, white, often drooping flowers are borne during 

 June or July. 



1 Marsh, C. D. STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF THE RANGE. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bull. 1245, 

 rev., 75 pp., illus. 1929. Supei-sedes Bull. 575. 



