CALIFORNIA LAUREL 



(Umbellularia Calif arnica) 



THIS tree's range lies in southern Oregon and in California. It is 

 a member of the laurel family and is closely related to the east- 

 ern sassafras and the red and the swamp bays of the southern states; 

 but it is not near kin to the eastern laurels which, strange as it may 

 appear, do not belong to the laurel family, notwithstanding the names 

 they bear. 



The people of California and Oregon have several names for this 

 interesting tree. It is known as mountain laurel, California bay tree, 

 myrtle tree, cajeput, California olive, spice tree, laurel, bay tree, oreo- 

 daphne, and California sassafras. 



Those who call it laurel name it on account of its large, lustrous, 

 thick leaves which adhere to the branches from two to six years. All 

 new leaves do not come at once, as with most trees, but appear a few at 

 a time during the whole summer. 



The names which connect this tree with sassafras, spice and cajeput 

 are based on odor and taste. All members of the laurel family in this 

 country are characterized by pugent, aromatic odor and taste, and the 

 one under consideration shares these properties in a remarkable degree. 

 When the leaves and the green bark are crushed, they give off a light, 

 volatile oil in follicles which float in the air, like those of an onion, and 

 when inhaled it produces severe pain over the eyes, and may induce 

 dizziness and violent sneezing. Though the symptoms are alarming to 

 one who is undergoing the experience for the first time, no serious 

 inconvenience follows. Dried leaves are capable of producing a similar 

 effect but with less violence. The California laurel's close relationship 

 to the camphor tree is readily believed by persons who inhale some of the 

 oily spray from the crushed leaves. 



Attempts have been made to produce the commercial oil of cajeput, 

 or a substitute for it, by distilling the leaves and bark of this laurel. A 

 passable substitute has been manufactured, but it cannot be marketed 

 as the genuine article. By distilling the fruit a product known as 

 umbellulic acid has been obtained. 



The California laurel carries a very dense crown of leaves. This 

 is due partly to the old crops which hang so long, and to the tree's habit 

 of lengthening its leading shoots during the growing season, and the 

 constant appearance of young leaves on the lengthening shoots. It can 

 stand an almost unlimited amount of shade itself, and is by no means 

 backward in giving abundance of shade to small growth which is trying 



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