Home > Herbs > Umbellularia Californica

Californian Bay

Umbellularia californica · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Extensive (286 studies) · ★★★★★

Californian Bay, scientifically known as Umbellularia californica, is an aromatic evergreen tree native to the coastal regions of California. Renowned for its pungent, spicy leaves, it is widely used in culinary seasoning and traditional medicine. Its essential oils offer potent antimicrobial and analgesic properties, making it a valuable botanical resource.

Family
Lauraceae
Native range
Northern America
Parts used
Leaf
Common names
Californian Bay · Californian Laurel · 13 more
Scientific synonyms
Tetranthera Causticans · Litsea Californica · 7 more

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Umbellularia
  • Sciadiodaphne
  • Tetranthera californica
  • Laurel de California
  • Laurel de California

German:

  • Kalifornischer Lorbeer
  • Berglorbeer
  • Kalifornischer Berglorbeer
  • Berglorbeer
  • Kalifornischer Lorbeer

French:

  • Laurier de Californie
  • Myrte de l’Orégon
  • Laurier de californie
  • Laurier De Californie
  • Myrte de l'Oregon
  • Laurier de Californie
  • Myrte de l’Oregon

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Umbellularia californica

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Umbellularia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Laurales WCVP
Family Lauraceae WCVP
Genus Umbellularia WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern stretching along the western coast of North America. In the Northwestern United States, its range extends into the state of Oregon. Moving southward, it is widely found throughout the Southwestern United States, specifically within California. The species also reaches into Mexico, where it is located in the northwestern region of the country. Consequently, its habitat follows a continuous coastal trend from Oregon down to Northwest Mexico.

Region Area Source
Northwestern U.S.A. Oregon WCVP
Southwestern U.S.A. California WCVP
Mexico Mexico Northwest WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as California bay laurel, possesses distinct medicinal and aromatic characteristics found within its various structures. The aromatic leaves are perhaps the most utilized part, containing high concentrations of essential oils that provide a pungent scent and are often used for their flavoring and antiseptic properties. Additionally, the bark of the tree is known to contain similar volatile compounds and has historically been used in traditional remedies for its medicinal potential.
Plant Part Sources Consensus
leaf Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Umbellularia californica has 42 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE, ALPHA-PINENE, ALPHA-SELINENE, ALPHA-TERPINYL ACETATE.

Chemicals reported in Umbellularia californica
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
1,8-Cineole 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
ALPHA-PINENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
ALPHA-SELINENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
ALPHA-TERPINYL ACETATE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Alpha terpinene 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
BETA-ELEMENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
BETA-PHELLANDRENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
BETA-PINENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cardenolides 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

1,8-Cineole

  1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE

  1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

  1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-SELINENE

  1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-TERPINYL ACETATE

  1. Dr. Duke

Alpha terpinene

  1. Dr. Duke

BETA-ELEMENE

  1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PHELLANDRENE

  1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

  1. Dr. Duke

Cardenolides

  1. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials

Activities

Umbellularia californica has 234 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Consensus
(-)-Chronotropic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
(-)-Inotropic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ACE-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
AChE-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Abortifacient Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Acaricide Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Allelochemic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Allelopathic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Allergenic Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Umbellularia californica has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, respiratory infections.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
MRSA Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
respiratory infections Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
methanolic extracts of leaves and bark Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆