Malosma laurina is a large, rounded evergreen shrub or small tree growing 3 to 5 meters (10–15 feet) tall.

Large clusters of these flowers occur at the ends of twigs in late spring and early summer.

[2][3] The fruit is a whitish drupe 3 mm (1/8") in diameter with a smooth, flattish stone inside (see photo).

[5][6] Malosma laurina is distributed along the southern California coastline (primarily from Point Conception south to La Paz), and on several of the Channel Islands lying off the coast.

[2][7] Several records of the species have also been made north of Point Conception, around the city of Arroyo Grande, California.

[8] Malosma laurina occurs in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodland formations.

[2] The Chumash crushed and ate the dried fruits of Malosma laurina — perhaps as a flour or meal — and also used the root bark to make a tea for treating dysentery.