"Nature Guide Journal"

30 November 2000

Following very old traditions, we decorate our homes with evergreens this time of year. While many people use European holly and ivy, there are native broad-leaved evergreens that serve very well: salal, evergreen huckleberry, Oregon myrtle, and Oregon grape, for example. Since clients on my guided trips and several readers of this column have asked about Oregon myrtle and Oregon grape, let's take a look at those here.

Oregon myrtle (Umbellularia californica) is also known as "myrtlewood," "California laurel," or "California bay-laurel." This evergreen tree is not the same myrtle referred to in the Bible, nor does it grow in the Holy Land, as stated by some documents.

The gently rounded shape gives a distinctive profile to Oregon myrtles growing in the open. The stout trunks of myrtle usually give rise to a many-branched crown that supports a dense canopy of somewhat shiny, dark green, elongate—and very pungent—leaves. Small yellowish flowers develop into nearly round, olive-sized fruit.

Most people are familiar with Oregon myrtle as a beautiful hardwood that is prized by woodworkers for it's hard, multi-colored grain. Myrtle leaves are also a good seasoning (a heady substitute for the bay leaves that come in jars), and are often browsed by deer and occasionally by livestock. Further, myrtle's large seeds are eaten by birds, rodents, and feral pigs.

Although Oregon myrtle has no close relatives, it is in the same plant family as sassafras, cinnamon, camphor, and avocado.

Tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is Oregon's state flower. In fact, our Governor's Mansion is named "Mahonia Hall" in its honor. Tall Oregon grape is a three to ten foot tall shrub distinguished by the very glossy, dark green leaves that look rather like holly leaves, but flatter, with more points along the edge. Tall Oregon grape has five to nine leaflets on each six- to twelve-inch long stem.

Also common in our region is dwarf, or dull, Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa). Dwarf Oregon grape is seldom over three feet high, and sports nine to 21 leaflets on each ten- to sixteen-inch long stem.

Tall Oregon grape is usually found in fairly open sites; dwarf Oregon grape is more common in shadier areas, sometimes as under-growth in Douglas fir forests. Both are widely used in landscaping, valued for their handsome, upright shape and because the spiny leaves discourage people from walking through the plantings.

Both tall and dwarf Oregon grape have loose clusters of small yellow flowers that produce bitter purple berries. The berries are eaten by birds and other wildlife, as well as by people—although people usually cook the acrid fruit into jams and jellies, or juice them for wine. The stems and bark of both Oregon grapes have long been used as the source of bright yellow dye.

The lustrous, evergreen leaves of Oregon myrtle and Oregon grape make both state namesakes welcome additions to our year-round landscaping and our seasonal decorations.

Oregon myrtle (Umbellularia californica)

Coos Bay,Oregon; 6 December 2000

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