California Bay

California Bay or Pepperwood or Oregon myrtlewood ( Umbellularia Californica)

Found nearly all over California, the California bay has long thin oblong shaped leaves. The tree can grow as large as 80 to 90 feet tall depending on specific conditions. The leaves are widely used nowadays on soups and stews because of its aromatic properties. By summertime, the California Bay has green fruit round in shape that are very similar to avocados. The seed inside the fruit, similar to an avocado seed, can be roasted and eaten. The native indians roasted the seeds and consumed them as part of their staple. The fruit is edible too and the birds take full advantage of the abundance of it in the summertime.