This plant also goes by the names of California bay, California laurel, and pepperwood. This is an aromatic evergreen shrub or tree that grows to 148 feet tall. It has 1 1/2- to 4-inch shiny, deep green leaves. Six to ten yellow-green 1/4-inch flowers bloom in umbels from December through May. The 3/4-inch fruit, a drupe, resembles an olive and ranges in color from green to dark purple. Bay-laurel is also found in canyons and valleys and in some chaparral habitats.

Close up of California Bay Laurel Leaves