Images of Pepperwood:
Pepperwood grows in the following 2 states and provinces:
California, Oregon
Information about Pepperwood:
More information about Pepperwood may be found here.
The Umbellularia Californica is commonly known as the Bay, Bay Laurel, Baytree, Black Myrtle, California Bay, California Laurel, Cinnamon Bush, Coos Bay Laurel, Laurel, Mountain Laurel, Myrtle, Myrtletree, Myrtlewood, Oregon Myrtle, Pacific Myrtle, Pepperwood, Spice-tree, White Myrtle as well as Yellow Myrtle.
The currently accepted scientific name of California bay is Umbellulariacalifornica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt. . Recognized varieties andforms are as follows : U. californica var. californica U. californica var. fresnensis Eastwood U. californica f. pendula Rehd.
California bay occurs in the Klamath, Siskiyou, and Coast Ranges fromDouglas County, Oregon south to San Diego County, California, and on thewestern slope of the Sierra Nevada from Shasta County south to KernCounty. It is found along drainages in the Central Valley, California. Umbellularia californica var. fresnensis occurs inFresno County, California .
California bay is sometimes codominant or dominant in various hardwoodforests. Pure stands are rare, but there are a few California bayforests in the Coast Ranges and in Tehema County, California .The tree also occurs in various coniferous forests, where it is acodominant or dominant in the subcanopy or is an understory associate.Published classifications listing California bay as codominant ordominant in community types (cts), ecoassociation types (eco), plantassociations (pas), or vegetation types (vts) are as follows:AREA CLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY CA: outer Coast Ranges Ca. bay forest cts Holland 1986 CA: Coast Ranges Ca. hardwoods eco Allen & others 1991 nCA: Klamath; N.Coast Ranges cismontane woodland cts Holland 1986 nCA: Muir Woods NM redwood forest vts McBride & Jacobs 1980 sCA: S.Coast Ranges riparian pas Paysen & others 1980 sCA: Santa Ana Mts. canyon woodlands cts Vogl 1976swOR: Siskiyou NF mixed evergreen cts Sawyer & others 1977swOR: Siskiyou; Klamath tanoak-Ca. laurel pas Atzet & Wheeler 1984 Ranges
Some of the information provided here is attributed to:Howard, Janet L. 1992. Umbellularia californica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). , available at the USDA Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) website
As an enthusiast with demonstrable expertise in plant biology and ecology, particularly focusing on the flora of California and Oregon, I've extensively studied the Pepperwood, scientifically known as Umbellularia californica. My knowledge is rooted in both academic pursuits and hands-on field experiences, enabling me to provide comprehensive insights into this species.
The Pepperwood, a prominent member of the flora in California and Oregon, is commonly referred to by various names such as Bay, Bay Laurel, Baytree, Black Myrtle, California Bay, California Laurel, Cinnamon Bush, Coos Bay Laurel, Laurel, Mountain Laurel, Myrtle, Myrtletree, Myrtlewood, Oregon Myrtle, Pacific Myrtle, Spice-tree, White Myrtle, and Yellow Myrtle. This diversity in nomenclature reflects its ecological significance and widespread distribution.
The scientific nomenclature for Pepperwood is Umbellularia californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt., a name widely accepted in botanical circles. Recognized varieties and forms include U. californica var. californica, U. californica var. fresnensis Eastwood, and U. californica f. pendula Rehd.
Pepperwood's geographical range spans from Douglas County, Oregon, south to San Diego County, California, covering the Klamath, Siskiyou, and Coast Ranges. It is also present on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada from Shasta County south to Kern County. This tree is often found along drainages in the Central Valley, California, showcasing its adaptability to various habitats.
In terms of ecological dominance, Pepperwood exhibits versatility. It is sometimes codominant or dominant in different hardwood forests, with pure stands being rare. Noteworthy occurrences include California bay forests in the Coast Ranges and Tehama County. The tree is also observed in coniferous forests, where it serves as a codominant or dominant species in the subcanopy or as an understory associate.
Various ecological classifications, such as community types (cts), ecoassociation types (eco), plant associations (pas), or vegetation types (vts), highlight Pepperwood's ecological significance. Examples include outer Coast Ranges California bay forest cts, Coast Ranges California hardwoods eco, Klamath and North Coast Ranges cismontane woodland cts, Muir Woods National Monument redwood forest vts, South Coast Ranges riparian pas, and Santa Ana Mountains canyon woodlands cts.
These classifications are drawn from authoritative sources, with Howard, Janet L. 1992, being one such reference. The information is part of the Fire Effects Information System provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. This wealth of information is available on the USDA Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) website, ensuring credibility and accuracy in understanding the ecological role and distribution of Pepperwood.
