Red Bay Persea borbonia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Red Bay:
- Phonetic Spelling
- PER-see-uh bor-BOH-nee-uh
- Description
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Redbay is an evergreen tree that may grow 30 to 70 feet tall. The tree has alternate leaves that have a smooth margin and produce a spicy odor when crushed. The bark is reddish-brown with irregular furrows that separate flat-topped ridges. In early summer, small, yellow-green groups of flowers mature in clusters. The tree produces a dark blue spherical fruit. This tree can be found naturally in dunes, hammocks, maritime forests, and sometimes in the sandy soils of the barrier islands.
The bark of the Persea borbonia is reddish-brown with irregular furrows that separate flat-topped ridges. The wood, which takes a beautiful polish, is used for fine cabinetwork and also for lumber. The spicy leaves can be used to flavor soups and meats. This plant is highly salt tolerant. This plant usually grows on rich moist mucky soil. This plant is susceptible to Red Bay Laurel Wilt disease.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Persea
- Species:
- borbonia
- Family:
- Lauraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used as an interior finish and for boat building, dried leaves make excellent substitute for tropical bay and used in the same way for seasoning.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- Found in NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR, and TX
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It provides winter cover. This plant supports Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) larvae which has two flights from March-December with a partial third flight in the south. The adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers like sweet pepperbush, thistles, blue flag, and azalea. This plant also supports Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) larvae which have 2 generations per year from April-October. Adult Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from Japanese honeysuckle, jewelweed, thistles, milkweed, azalea, dogbane, lantana, mimosa, and sweet pepperbush. This plant has almost been wiped out by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle. The foilage is browsed by white-tailed deer and fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quails, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and black bear.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- The Redbay is moderately resistant to deer damage.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- This tree produces a dark blue spherical fruit that becomes available September-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- In early summer (May-June), small, yellow-green groups of flowers mature in clusters on the Redbay tree.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The Redbay has 2-4 in. alternate, simple leaves. They have a smooth margin and produce a spicy odor when crushed. A few yellow or red leaves drop during the season.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Salt
