Silkbay Persea humilis
Previously known as:
- Borbonia humilis
- Persea borbonia var. humilis,
- Tamala humilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- PER-see-ua HEW-mil-liss
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- 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:
- 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Rounded drupe black when ripe
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Ridges
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Small Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
