All
parts of Laurel sumac are pleasantly scented. The flowers and sap are aromatic,
and the leaves release scented, volatile chemicals into the air. On a warm or wet day, the characteristic aroma
can be smelled at a distance. Even fallen leaves release the aroma when walked
upon. For more on gardening with scent see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2018/03/gardening-for-health-2-magic-of-scent.html
The
scent is a unique blend: bitter and somewhat fruity.
It’s been described as the scent of bitter almonds, unripe apples or citrus. It’s
an aroma unique to the plant, and for many, it’s the ‘scent of the California
chaparral’. As a note of caution, some people have nasal allergies to the plant chemicals
and/or pollen. In addition, the sap can
cause contact dermatitis (short-term skin allergy) in sensitive individuals. Gloves should be worn when pruning or handing
the plant.
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| Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): flower buds |
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| Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): flowering plant |
Malosma laurina blooms most often in late spring or
early summer. In the Gardena Willows
Wetland Preserve (where our gardens are located) it commonly blooms in June or
July. This is quite a showy bloomer. The flower buds are a pleasant pink that
contrasts nicely with the spring leaves.
The flowers themselves are creamy white.
The flowers grow in dense clusters at the ends of the branches
(above). The look reminds one of a lilac
bush with white flowers.
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| Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): close-up of flowers |
The
flowers themselves are small, simple, with five rounded petals. The flowers can be either bisexual or
unisexual (see photo above); in at least some cases, plants can be functionally
either male or female. The details are currently being studied, so we’ll
know more about the reproductive biology of Laurel sumac in the future. The interested reader is directed to ref. 3
(literature) for more on this fascinating topic.
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| Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): ripening fruits |
The
flowers attract European Honey bees, native bees, pollinator flies and likely
other pollinators. The fruits are small
and not particularly showy. They start
off green and are white when ripe. The
dried fruits, which are dark brown, remain on the plant into fall and winter. The
dried fruits add fall/winter interest (see below). The fruits and dried seeds are eaten by a
number of seed-eating birds, but are particularly loved by song birds. In
fact, this species provides good bird habitat: food, perches, shade and nesting
sites.
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| Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): dry fruits |
Malosma laurina takes a year or two to establish,
then it grows to size fairly quickly thereafter. In the wilds, plants can live at least 30-45
years. The actual age limit is difficult
to determine. Plants burn to the ground
in a fire. But an underground sprouting
root (lignotuber) remains alive, allowing plants to re-sprout quickly (often
the first green seen after a fire). So,
the age of a mature plant may be older than the age of a single trunk.
Laurel
sumac needs full sun and prefers well-drained soils, with a pH 6.0-8.0. It does well on slopes (as it does in the
wilds). It is intolerant of low temperatures and pH
much above 8.0. The plants are
relatively insect-resistant and do best when leaf litter is allowed to
accumulate (this is true of many chaparral shrub species). The plant can be pruned up as a small tree,
and yearly fall trimming will keep it from getting rangy. Old shrubs can even be cut back hard (even
coppiced) to rejuvenate them.
Once
established, Laurel sumac is quite drought resistant. Plants have roots that
grow deep – 40 feet or more in some cases. Mature plants get by on occasional to no summer
water (no more than one deep watering a month).
But they do need adequate winter/spring water, so supplement as
needed.
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Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): mature plant,
Heritage Creek Preserve, CSU Dominguez Hills, Carson CA |
Future
climate change may prove challenging to this species. Several of us have noted branch die-back in
established plants (see above). Early
research suggests that this is due to fungal disease, and some individuals seem
to be more susceptible than others. As with many local plant disease/pest
problems, drought stress appears to be a contributing factor to susceptibility. For more on this topic see ref. 4, below.
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Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): at home on the
Palos Verdes Penninsula |
Malosma laurina is a great choice for slopes and for
wildland interface areas. If planted in
areas prone to wildfires, it should be planted away from structures, and the
lower 1/3 of small branches removed.
Laurel sumac makes a great background plant, with its evergreen leaves
and flowers. It looks particularly good
when paired with its natural associates: the plants of the S. California
coastal sage scrub.
Like
Toyon, Laurel sumac is quite versatile.
It can be pruned up as a small, multi-trunk tree or used as a hedge, screen
or hedgerow. As a hedge, it can be
pruned formally or informally. If space
is limited, Laurel sumac can even be espaliered along a wall or free-standing support
frame. We’re in the process of training
the plant in our Bie Havn Pollinator Garden as an espalier against the back
wall.
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Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): espalier in Mother Nature's
Bie Havn Pollinator Garden |
In
terms of practical uses, the dried fruits can be ground into flour. The young branches can be split and used in
making twined baskets. The plant is a
minor medicinal plant among the Chumash and Kumeyaay, who use a root bark tea for dysentery and baths
for women’s ceremonies.
In
summary, Malosma laurina
is a key species of our local coastal sage scrub and chaparral plant
communities. It’s an evergreen shrub
with the versatility to function as a tree, hedge or espalier. It looks right at home with many of the
plants used in S. Calilfornia native plant gardens. And it adds to the ‘fragrance of the wild’
that makes our S. California gardens so captivating. If you want to bring a bit of native
California into your garden, this is a good shrub to consider.
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Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve,
Gardena CA |
