Laurel Sumac
Malosma laurina
- Native to:
- Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, United States
Justin Taylor (www.flickr.com) from Encinitas, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Genus:
- Malosma
- Species:
- Malosma laurina
- USDA Symbol:
- MALA6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Calleta silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta), Caloptilia ovatiella, Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Cochisea sinuaria, Gloveria medusa, Illustrated Dichorda Moth (Dichorda illustraria), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Lebeau's silk moth (Rothschildia lebeau), Oslar's eacles (Eacles oslari), Othello dagger moth (Acronicta othello), Paectes declinata, Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis), Splendid Royal Moth (Citheronia splendens), Walter's saturnia moth (Saturnia walterorum)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Ceratina arizonensis, Crotch bumble (Bombus crotchii), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Hummingbirds: Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) Butterflies:Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Marine Blue (Leptotes marina), Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Common component of chaparral fire ecology with rapid post-fire recovery.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment. Fire or chaparral smoke may enhance germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI