This is a small bay laurel shrub. The plant will grow into a tree. Commonly used to flavor dishes, it also is what Olympic wreaths were made of. Dry the leaves and save in an airtight jar for home use. There is a native california laurel, with leaves so strong smelling you could pass out from sniffing them. Locations: the park around the La Brea Tar Pits on Wilshire has a specimen, as does the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: