Recently visiting a friend in Portland, OR. This tree look and smells like bay to me, but when I look up laurel or California laurel they're slightly different, usually the stems are red. What is this plant??
Umbellularia californica California bay can be used culinarily but not as nice as the True bay
it is often sold as bay in stores the difference between the two is that Laurus nobilis has a darker leaf surface and a wavy leaf margin
broncobuckaneer
I would disagree that california bay laurel (aka Oregon myrtle) isnt as “nice” as european bay for cooking. But it is slightly different, a bit more camphor flavor. Its also much stronger, you want to use a much smaller amount if you’re cooking with it.
Also dont crush up too big a handful of leaves and take a huge breath, it can trigger migraines in some people (example me).
I once had to poop desperately on a hike and these were what I thought the best choice of nearby leaves. They gave me lots of tiny cuts and then the oils made it burn. It was terrible, dont use it for that purpose, just sacrifice a sock, its worth the dollar or two a sock costs.
Grundle_smoocher420
How does it smell? I believe that Portland is a bit far north of the bay laurel’s native range, but the temperatures aren’t so extreme that it couldn’t survive. Could be an actual “bay” tree, meaning the same species as the leaf you buy in jars at stores.
Ok-Client5022
California Bay Laurel (Umbelluria californica) native range extends into coastal southern Oregon. It is not a native species in Portland. There is a nursery up there that sells Bay Laurel or Grecian Bay (Laurus nobilis). One Green World in Portland ships all over is where I got my Grecian Bay from even though I could drive 15 minutes and pick wild California Laurel.
4 Comments
Umbellularia californica California bay can be used culinarily but not as nice as the True bay
it is often sold as bay in stores the difference between the two is that Laurus nobilis has a darker leaf surface and a wavy leaf margin
I would disagree that california bay laurel (aka Oregon myrtle) isnt as “nice” as european bay for cooking. But it is slightly different, a bit more camphor flavor. Its also much stronger, you want to use a much smaller amount if you’re cooking with it.
Also dont crush up too big a handful of leaves and take a huge breath, it can trigger migraines in some people (example me).
I once had to poop desperately on a hike and these were what I thought the best choice of nearby leaves. They gave me lots of tiny cuts and then the oils made it burn. It was terrible, dont use it for that purpose, just sacrifice a sock, its worth the dollar or two a sock costs.
How does it smell? I believe that Portland is a bit far north of the bay laurel’s native range, but the temperatures aren’t so extreme that it couldn’t survive. Could be an actual “bay” tree, meaning the same species as the leaf you buy in jars at stores.
California Bay Laurel (Umbelluria californica) native range extends into coastal southern Oregon. It is not a native species in Portland. There is a nursery up there that sells Bay Laurel or Grecian Bay (Laurus nobilis). One Green World in Portland ships all over is where I got my Grecian Bay from even though I could drive 15 minutes and pick wild California Laurel.