California Bay Laurel

Umbellularia californica is a tree that goes by many names: Oregon myrtle, headache tree, balm of heaven, sō-ē’-bä (Concow tribe) and California bay laurel. Though its fruit, nuts, and leaves have been used as medicine, food, and for pest control, it differs from common bay laurel leaves, in that these leaves have a toxin that makes them unsuitable for cooking. It also has the distinction of being the only wood still in use as a base "metal" for legal tender. In 1933, there was a cash flow crisis, and a bank in Oregon produced wooden coins as temporary money. Since many people didn't hand them in, the bank has delcared that it will continue to honor them at face value.