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Umbellularia californica (Headache tree)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
18m
Max height
Max height
12m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Umbellularia californica
Other names
Headache tree, Balm of heaven, Californian bay, Californian laurel, Californian olive tree, Californian sassafras tree, Californian spice tree, Oregon myrtle, Myrtle, Pepperwood, Bay laurel, Peppernut tree, Sassafras laurel, Cinnamon bush, Cajeput
Genus
Umbellularia Umbellularia
Species
U. californica - U. californica is a borderline hardy, rounded, often multi-stemmed, evergreen tree with strongly aromatic, leathery, elliptic to oblong, olive green leaves and umbels of small, salverform, yellow-green flowers from late winter into spring followed by ovoid, green fruit ripening reddish-purple to brown.
Umbellularia californica is: Evergreen
Habit
Multi-stemmed palm, cycad or tree, Rounded
Toxicity
The scent of the crushed leaves may cause headaches and/or nausea.
Flower
Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Winter
Foliage
Olive green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Can be trained to form a single trunk by removing suckers as they appear.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Umbellularia californica (Headache tree) will reach a height of 18m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Specimen tree, Mediterranean, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Coastal, City
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in sun. Plant in partial shade in areas with hot, dry summers. Tolerates clay. Needs shelter from cold, drying winds in frost-prone areas. Can be grown in a large container.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Umbellularia californica
Other names
Headache tree, Balm of heaven, Californian bay, Californian laurel, Californian olive tree, Californian sassafras tree, Californian spice tree, Oregon myrtle, Myrtle, Pepperwood, Bay laurel, Peppernut tree, Sassafras laurel, Cinnamon bush, Cajeput
Genus
Umbellularia Umbellularia
Species
U. californica - U. californica is a borderline hardy, rounded, often multi-stemmed, evergreen tree with strongly aromatic, leathery, elliptic to oblong, olive green leaves and umbels of small, salverform, yellow-green flowers from late winter into spring followed by ovoid, green fruit ripening reddish-purple to brown.
Native to
California, Oregon
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Multi-stemmed palm, cycad or tree, Rounded
Toxicity
The scent of the crushed leaves may cause headaches and/or nausea.
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Winter
Foliage
Olive green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Can be trained to form a single trunk by removing suckers as they appear.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Umbellularia californica (Headache tree) will reach a height of 18m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Specimen tree, Mediterranean, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Coastal, City
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in sun. Plant in partial shade in areas with hot, dry summers. Tolerates clay. Needs shelter from cold, drying winds in frost-prone areas. Can be grown in a large container.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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