It is an evergreen tree growing to 30 metres (98 feet) tall with a trunk up to 90 centimetres (35 inches) in diameter.

[3] The fragrant leaves are smooth-edged and lance-shaped, 3–15 cm (1+1⁄4–6 in) long and around a third as wide,[3] similar to the related bay laurel, though usually narrower, and without the crinkled margin of that species.

[3] The bark and leaves have a pungent scent resembling camphor when bruised,[3] due to a chemical known as umbellulone.

Under the thin, leathery skin, it consists of an oily, fleshy covering over a single hard, thin-shelled pit,[3] and resembles a miniature avocado.

Bays occur in oak woodland close to the coast, and in northern California where moisture is sufficient, usually in or near riparian areas.

[18] Umbellularia has long been valued for its many uses by Native Americans throughout the tree's range, including the Cahuilla, Chumash, Ohlone, Pomo, Miwok, Yuki, Coos, and Salinan people.

[21] A tea was made from the leaves to treat stomach aches, colds, sore throats, and to clear up mucus in the lungs.

[22] The hard inner seed underneath the fleshy mesocarp, like the pit of an avocado, cleaves readily in two when its thin shell is cracked.

The pit itself was traditionally roasted to a dark chocolate-brown color, removing much of the pungency and leaving a spicy flavor.

[21] Roasted, shelled "bay nuts" were eaten whole, or ground into powder and prepared as a drink which resembles unsweetened chocolate.

[27] Some modern-day foragers and wild food enthusiasts have adopted Native American practices regarding the fruit, the bay nut, edible when roasted.

The wood is very hard and fine, and is also made into bowls, spoons, and other small items and sold as "myrtlewood".

It is also grown as an ornamental tree, both in its native area, and further north up the Pacific coast to Vancouver in Canada, and in western Europe.

The city solved this problem by minting its own currency, using myrtlewood discs printed on a newspaper press.

However, when the bank reopened and the city appealed for people to bring their myrtlewood money in to redeem it, many opted to keep their tokens as collector's items.