Leucothoe davisiae
Sierra laurel
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Leucothoe davisiae (Sierra laurel) is a native California shrub in the Ericaceae family, recognized by Pacific Northwest species reaching southern limit in California; specialized bog habitat requirements.
Sierra laurel is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and Warner Mountains in wet areas and bogs at elevations of 400 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers with corollas 5.5 to 8.5 millimeters long, recurved in axillary clusters. Growing to 1.5 meters tall with slender stems, it forms a compact shrubby habit. Its leaves are leathery, oblong to elliptic, measuring 1.5 to 8 centimeters long with a distinctive dark green appearance. When mature, the plant produces thin-walled fruits less than 6 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Pacific Northwest species reaching southern limit in California; specialized bog habitat requirements
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Bogs, wet areas
Elevation: 400-3000 m
California counties: El Dorado, Mariposa, Butte, Sierra, Placer, Tuolumne, Trinity, Nevada, Fresno, Plumas, Siskiyou, Madera, Calaveras, Shasta, Del Norte, Tulare
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Leucothoe davisiae blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Rhododendron: Leucothoe has flowers in drooping racemes; Rhododendron has flowers in terminal rounded clusters.; vs Menziesia: Leucothoe has flowers in elongated racemes; Menziesia has solitary or few clustered flowers.; vs Phyllodoce: Leucothoe has broad spreading leaves 15-80mm; Phyllodoce has needle leaves under 5mm.; vs Kalmia: Leucothoe has simple urn flowers in racemes; Kalmia has cup flowers with anther pockets.; vs Cassiope: Leucothoe has large spreading leaves; Cassiope has tiny boat-shaped leaves pressed to stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leucothoe davisiae native to California?
Yes. Leucothoe davisiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leucothoe davisiae bloom?
Leucothoe davisiae blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Leucothoe davisiae grow?
Leucothoe davisiae occurs in El Dorado, Mariposa, Butte, Sierra, Placer, Tuolumne, Trinity, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 400-3000 m.
What plant family does Leucothoe davisiae belong to?
Leucothoe davisiae is in the Ericaceae family, genus Leucothoe.
What habitat does Leucothoe davisiae grow in?
Leucothoe davisiae grows in Uncommon. Bogs, wet areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.