Umbellularia

It is an evergreen tree growing to tall with a trunk up to in diameter. The largest recorded tree is in Mendocino County, California, and measured (as of 1997) in height with a spread. The thin bark is smooth and gray-brown when young, later turning reddish brown and scaly. 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. Under the thin, leathery skin, it consists of an oily, fleshy covering over a single hard, thin-shelled pit, == Taxonomy ==

The tree was formerly known as Oreodaphne californica. In Yuki, it is called '''pōl'-cum ōl. In Oregon, this tree is known as Oregon myrtle, while in California it is called California bay laurel, which may be shortened to California bay or California laurel. It has also been called pepperwood, spicebush, cinnamon bush, peppernut tree, headache tree, mountain laurel, and balm of heaven'''. == Distribution and habitat ==

in Rancho San Antonio County Park, Santa Clara County, in 2012, when it was one of the largest of its species in California Umbellularia is found in southwest Oregon and in California south to San Diego County. It is also found in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It occurs at altitudes from sea level up to . It is an introduced species in British Columbia, Washington, and northern Oregon. It mostly inhabits redwood forests, California mixed woods, yellow pine forest, and oak woodlands. Bays occur in oak woodland close to the coast, and in northern California where moisture is sufficient, usually in or near riparian areas. The species is very shade tolerant. It is reduced to a shrub in extreme dry and hot habitats. Only one native species from the laurel family, Umbellularia californica, remains in California today. == Ecology ==

near ground level provides fire-resistant storage of sprouting buds. The trees resprout after being killed by fire. == Uses ==

Historical usage 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. The Concow tribe call the plant '''sō-ē'-bä''' (Konkow language). Poultices of Umbellularia leaves were used to treat rheumatism and neuralgias. A tea was made from the leaves to treat stomach aches, colds, sore throats, and to clear up mucus in the lungs. The leaves were steeped in hot water to make an infusion that was used to wash sores. Native Americans dried the fruits in the sun and ate only the lower third of the dried mesocarp, which is less pungent. The powder might also be used in cooking or pressed into cakes and dried for winter storage. however this possible effect has been little documented by biologists. Modern usage The leaf has been used in cooking but contains large amounts of the toxic compound umbellulone, which causes methemoglobinemia. Umbellulone is absent from culinary bay leaves (Laurus nobilis). Umbellularia leaf imparts a somewhat stronger camphor/cinnamon flavor compared to the Mediterranean bay. Some modern-day foragers and wild food enthusiasts have adopted Native American practices regarding the fruit, the bay nut, edible when roasted. Umbellularia californica is also used in woodworking. It is considered a tonewood, used to construct the backs and sides of acoustic guitars. The wood is very hard and fine, and is also made into bowls, spoons, and other small items and sold as "myrtlewood". It is also grown as an ornamental tree, both in its native area, and further north up the Pacific coast to Vancouver in Canada, and in western Europe. It can be planted as a hedge or windbreak. One popular use for the leaves is to put them between the bed mattresses to get rid of, or prevent, flea infestations. The wood is used as lumber in furniture making, especially highly figured specimens. "Myrtlewood" money "Myrtlewood" is the only wood still in use as a base "metal" for legal tender. 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. The city solved this problem by minting its own currency, using myrtlewood discs printed on a newspaper press. These coins, in denominations from 25 cents to $10, were used to pay employees, with the city promising to redeem them for cash as soon as it became available. However, when the bank reopened and the city appealed for people to bring their myrtlewood money in to redeem it, many opted to keep their tokens as collector's items. After several appeals, the city announced that the tokens would remain legal tender in the city of North Bend in perpetuity. The unredeemed tokens have become very valuable, because of scarcity and historical interest. Fewer than 10 full sets are believed to exist. ==References==