Gordonia lasianthus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- gor-DOH-nee-ah lah-see-AHN-thus
- Description
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Gordonia lasianthus, or Loblolly Bay, is an evergreen tree that is native to the Southeastern United States and is commonly found in the coastal plains and southern Tidewater region of North Carolina in moist but not wet areas. These areas include pocosins, bayheads, acidic, organic-rich swamp forests, wet pine savannas, and bay forests. In summer it has spectacular white Camellia-like flowers that are fragrant and can continue through frost. Loblolly Bay, often called Red Bay, reaches a height of 35 to 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 20 inches and a columnar or pyramidal, very open growth habit with a narrow, compact crown of spreading branches. The eventual size of the tree is dependent on soil moisture. Although evergreen, several individual leaves at a time will turn a brilliant scarlet color in the fall.
It is typically a short-lived tree and can be difficult to grow in cultivation and is best purchased in a pot rather than digging from the wild but can still be finicky. Use this plant in wet but well-drained areas in sun to partial sun conditions. Or just enjoy it in its native habitat. Symmetric, narrow conical shape. Depending on soil conditions, may take a shrubby form or grow to a sizeable tree. Hybrid with Franklinia (not a NC native) is Gordlinia grandiflora {Franklinia x Gordonia}; cv 'Sweet Tea'
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:
No major problems. It can be hard to find commercially. Root rot can be an issue for immature trees.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Variegata’
Variegated leaves
- ‘Variegata’
- ‘Variegata’
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Variegata’
Variegated leaves
- ‘Variegata’
- ‘Variegata’
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gordonia
- Species:
- lasianthus
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The bark was once used for tanning leather. The pink wood is soft and light and sometimes used for cabinets or for pulpwood.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL , FL , GA , MS , NC , SC
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- The loblolly bay provides winter and extreme weather coverage for wildlife. White-tailed deer browse the foliage. Bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Particularly resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Erect
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The oval fruit is a hard, pointed, woody, five-valved capsule with a downy coat and about 0.6 inches long with each valve containing four to eight flat, winged seeds. In North Carolina, the fruits are available from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The 2 to 3 inch white fragrant flower has 5 waxy, rounded, silky petals surrounding many golden stamens. They occur singly in the leaf axils near the ends of branches in mid-summer. The flowers are usually found high up on the tree, attached singly on long red flower stalks springing from the axils of leaves, not abundant and bloom sporadically. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from July to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oblong dark green, glossy, leathery leaves, 4 to 6 inches long, with a toothed margin and a pale green underside. They are broad on their outer margins and typically 1 to 2 inches wide. A few may turn bright red in fall and drop gradually over the next year.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- The bark is light-colored from cream to carmine on young trees. Matures to medium grey to a red-brown coloration with flat-topped ridges and separated by deep narrow furrows.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green and brown stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
