Umbellularia has long been valued for its many uses by Native Americans throughout the tree's range, including the Cahuilla, Chumash, Ohlone, Pomo, Miwok, Yuki, Coos, and Salinan people. It has also been called pepperwood, spicebush, cinnamon bush, peppernut tree, headache tree,[5] mountain laurel,[6] and balm of heaven.[6]. Ecology: found in a few places in Oregon and throughout much of California. On good bottomland sites, mature trees can attain diameter… [19] The powder might also be used in cooking or pressed into cakes and dried for winter storage. Outdoors, grow in full sun and very well-drained soil. If your bay tree is in a pot, use a good-quality, fast-draining potting soil. [5], Both the flesh and the inner kernel of the fruit have been used as food by Native Americans. The Bay Laurel, botanical name Laurus nobilis, is an aromatic evergreen tree or hedge that is prized for its fragrant bay leaves, which, when dried, are used to add a distinctive flavor to soups, stews, and a variety of cuisines. The fruit, also known as "California bay nut", is a round and green berry 2–2.5 cm long and 2 cm broad, lightly spotted with yellow, maturing purple. It is also found in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It can easily be pruned into a bushy shrub, small tree, or even a topiary form. [15], Poultices of Umbellularia leaves were used to treat rheumatism and neuralgias. The wood is used as lumber in furniture making, especially highly figured specimens.[25]. The flavor, depending on roast level, has been described variously as "roast coffee," "dark chocolate" or "burnt popcorn". [26] During the 1933 "interregnum of despair" between Franklin Roosevelt's election and his inauguration, the only bank in the town of North Bend, Oregon—the First National—was forced to temporarily close its doors, precipitating a cash-flow crisis for the City of North Bend. [9] There are also two recorded instances of trees growing in coastal British Columbia. A Mediterranean native, this moderately growing evergreen is commonly used in landscapes as a shrub or hedge, though it looks fantastic in tree form too. [16] Roasted, shelled "bay nuts" were eaten whole, or ground into powder and prepared as a drink which resembles unsweetened chocolate. Also be sure to choose a place that is protected from potential wind. Indoors, situate the plant in a very bright window, or provide supplemental light with a full-spectrum bulb. Long, slender leaves and compact habit. The unredeemed tokens have become very valuable, because of scarcity and historical interest. In-ground planted bay is drought tolerant once established. Common Name: Bay laurel, sweet bay, culinary bay. Culture: Evergreen in zones 8 and up, bay is considered somewhat tender in the Portland area. According to a modern Miwok recipe for acorn soup, "it is essential that you add a generous amount of California laurel" when storing acorns to dry, to keep insects away from the acorns.[24]. Starting from seed is tricky, as bay seeds can take months to germinate under specific conditions. Bays occur in oak woodland close to the coast, and in northern California where moisture is sufficient, usually in or near riparian areas. Indoor plants may be affected by scale. It is occasionally used for firewood. "Encyclopedia of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Umbellularia&oldid=991217726, Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands, Natural history of the California Coast Ranges, Plants used in traditional Native American medicine, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2012, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 November 2020, at 22:37. It is the sole species in the genus Umbellularia.