Seize the Bay!

1)   Bay Laurel    (Laurus nobilis)

• From the Mediterranean region
• A plant of great cultural significance (culinary uses, literary references, etc.)
• Marginally hardy in the Washington Park Arboretum, located in the Mediterranean Bed (grid 21-3E)

2)   California Bay Laurel    (Umbellularia californica)

• Native to the Pacific Coast, Oregon through California
• Crushed leaves have intense odor
• Re-seeds freely in the Washington Park Arboretum
• Located near the Mediterranean Bed (grid 20-3E)

3)   Redbay    (Persea borbonia)

• A relative of the avocado, native to southeastern U.S.
• Used as an emetic (vomit inducer) by indigenous people
• Located in the the Camellia Collection near the Reebs memorial bench (grid 11-4E)

4)   Rosebay    (Rhododendron maximum)

• Native to eastern U.S.
• Used in the early days of Rhododendron hybridizing to develop hardy hybrids
• Growing steadily in the Rhododendron Seedling Bed (grid 22-1E)

5)   Sweet Bay    (Magnolia virginiana)

• Eastern U.S. native
• Typically evergreen in Seattle, but can be deciduous, semi-deciduous, or evergreen depending on climate
• Located in the Magnolia Collection (grid 28-3E)