California laurel

California laurel
1. Also called bay tree. a tree, Umbellularia californica, of the laurel family, native to the western coast of the U.S., having aromatic leaves and umbels of yellowish-green flowers.
2. the hard, golden-brown wood of this tree, used for making furniture and decorative objects. Also called myrtle, Oregon myrtle, pepperwood.
[1870-75, Amer.]

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▪ tree
also called  Myrtlewood,  Oregon Myrtle , or  Bay Tree 

      aromatic evergreen tree of the laurel family (Lauraceae). It occurs on the Pacific coast of North America from Oregon to California and grows about 15 to 25 metres (50 to 80 feet) tall. A handsome tree, it is often grown in gardens and along avenues. The alternate, short-stalked, smooth-edged leaves are oblong or oval and 7.5–12.5 centimetres (3–5 inches) long. When crushed, the leaves have a strong pungent aroma. The yellow-green flowers grow in dense clusters, and the egg-shaped, yellowish-green to purple fruit is about 2.5 cm long.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • California laurel — Laurel Lau rel, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier, laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.] 1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus {Laurus} ({Laurus nobilis}), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • California laurel — ☆ California laurel n. a Pacific coast shrub or tree (Umbellularia californica) of the laurel family, having aromatic evergreen leaves and hard wood; Oregon myrtle: a source of bay leaves …   English World dictionary

  • California laurel — noun Pacific coast tree having aromatic foliage and small umbellate flowers followed by olivelike fruit; yields a hard tough wood • Syn: ↑California bay tree, ↑Oregon myrtle, ↑pepperwood, ↑spice tree, ↑sassafras laurel, ↑California olive,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • California-laurel — kaliforninė skėtva statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Lauramedinių dekoratyvinis, medieninis, vaistinis augalas (Umbellularia californica), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Umbellularia californica angl. California bay; California …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • California laurel — noun A tree native to the coastal forests of western North America. Syn: Oregon myrtle, California Bay laurel, pepperwood …   Wiktionary

  • California laurel — noun Date: 1868 an evergreen Pacific coast tree (Umbellularia californica) of the laurel family with small umbellate flowers …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • California laurel — Cal′ifor′nia lau′rel n. pln a tree, Umbellularia californica, of the laurel family, native to the W coast of the U.S., having aromatic leaves, umbels of yellowish green flowers, and hard wood • Etymology: 1870–75, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • Laurel — may refer to:BotanyLauraceae, the botanical laurel family, including: *Azores laurel (Laurus azorica) *Bay Laurel ( Laurus nobilis ), the original true laurel that is the source of bay leaves used as a food flavouring. *California Laurel (… …   Wikipedia

  • Laurel, California — is a ghost town in the Santa Cruz Mountains, located in Santa Cruz County. The exact location of Laurel is latitude 370700N, longitude 1215755W; the decimal degrees are latitude 37.11667, longitude 121.96528. It is in a valley at an elevation of… …   Wikipedia

  • Laurel — Lau rel, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier, laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.] 1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus {Laurus} ({Laurus nobilis}), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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