Oregon myrtle, whose botanical name is umbellularia californica, is a large broadleaf tree native to the coastal forests and hills of Sierra California and the coastal forests that extend into Oregon.
In California, the tree is called California bay laurel, which may be shortened to California bay or California laurel.
The leaves are lanceolate with smooth edges, aromatic and fragrant, and 3-15 cm long. They resemble bay leaves, but are usually narrower and have less wrinkled edges.
Because of its many uses, this tree has long been valued by natives throughout the United States, including Cahuilla, Chumash, Ohlone, Pomo, Miwok, Yuki, Coos, and Salinan people.
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