Leaves are evergreen, simple, alternate, linear to narrowly falcate, 3-4" long by 1/4" wide, dark green with a peppermint smell when crushed.
Flowers are in clusters of 9-15 and open into a round ball of white stamens. Blooms early summer.
Flower buds in round clusters along the stem making for a great floral display.
Bark sheds in long sheets, but often smooth, cream to light green or gray colored bark. Eventually persistent close to the base.
Used to be know as E. linearis.
Thanks to Matt Ritter (CalPolySLO) for identification.
Misidentification:
The foliage of E. nicolii looks close but the willow-leaf peppermint has thicker leaves and of course persistent bark.
Location:
Aptos
151 Seacliff Dr. (Gone)