Some native plants from the Northern California coast range on a hike last weekend #berryessasnowmountain #coldcanyon #Umbellularia #Ribes #toyon

Poultices of #Umbellularia leaves were used to treat rheumatism, neuralgias & headaches. #Tea from the leaves to treat stomach aches, colds, sore throats, & to clear up mucus in the lungs. Leaves were steeped in hot water to make an infusion that was used to wash sores.

#Umbellularia has long been valued for its many uses by #NativeAmericans throughout the tree's range, including the #Cahuilla, #Chumash, #Ohlone, #Pomo, #Miwok, #Yuki, #Coos, and #Salinan people. The #Concow tribe call the plant sō-ē’-bä (Konkow language).

Fruit, known as California #baynut, a round green berry, lightly spotted with yellow, maturing purple. Leathery skin, with an oily, fleshy inside covering a single hard thin-shelled pit resembling a mini #avocado. #Umbellularia is in fact related to the avocado's genus #Persea.

The #flowers are small, yellow or yellowish-green, produced in small #umbels (hence the scientific name #Umbellularia, "little umbel"). Unlike other "#baylaurels" of the genus #Laurus, Umbellularia has perfect flowers (male and female parts in the same flower).