Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Lauraceae

Genus:

Umbellularia

Species:

Umbellularia californica

USDA Symbol:

UMCA

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Tree

Height:

2500 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Bloom Colors:

yellow, green

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire or cutting. Top-killed trees regenerate readily.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Thrives in coastal and riparian zones

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–180 days

Notes:

Germination is slow and erratic; fresh seed germinates best. Seeds may take several months to sprout.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI