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Scrub Bay Persea humilis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Borbonia humilis
  • Persea borbonia var. humilis,
  • Tamala humilis
Phonetic Spelling
PER-see-ua HEW-mil-liss
Description

Silk Bay is a deciduous small tree or large shrub native to Florida.  It prefers well-drained to dry sandy soil and full sun.  It works well in coastal gardens being moderately tolerant to salt spray but does not tolerate flooding by salty water.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant is susceptible to laurel wilt.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#salt spray tolerant#black fruits#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#salt spray tolerant#black fruits#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Persea
    Species:
    humilis
    Family:
    Lauraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Florida
    Edibility:
    Fresh or dried leaves can be used for tea.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    Rounded drupe black when ripe
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Fragrant when crushed.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Ridges
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil