Laurus sp.
Laurel, Laurel
Family: Lauraceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Laurus sp. (Laurel) is a non-native California shrub in the Lauraceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Umbellularia: Laurus has mild, pleasant bay aroma; Umbellularia has pungent, headache-inducing scent.; vs Heteromeles: Laurus leaves smell strongly of bay spice; Heteromeles leaves have little to no scent.; vs Salix: Laurus has aromatic bay-scented leaves; Salix leaves have no distinctive scent when crushed.; vs Quercus: Laurus has strong bay leaf aroma; Quercus may smell slightly tannic but never bay-like.; vs Ligustrum: Laurus leaves smell like bay spice; Ligustrum leaves have a musty, unpleasant odor if any.
Frequently asked questions
Is Laurus sp. native to California?
No. Laurus sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Laurus sp. belong to?
Laurus sp. is in the Lauraceae family, genus Laurus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.