Suriana maritima

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Bay-cedar

Surianaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:Shrub
Size:6-10 (20) ft tall by 6-10 ft wide
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:Yellow
Fruit Color:Black
Phenology:Evergreen. Blooms year round. Slow growing and moderately-long lived (Nelson 2003).
Noted for:Showy flowers, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Hedge or specimen plant in coastal areas.
Propagation:Seed.
Availability:Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Not wet but not extremely dry ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Not wet but not extremely dry ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.
Soil or other substrate:Sand
Soil pH:Neutral to calcareous

Ecology

Wildlife:
Insects:
   

Host plant for Martial Scrub Hairstreak (Strymon martialis) and Mallow Scrub Hairstreak (Strymon istapa).

A nectar plant for these and many other butterflies and bees.

Native Habitats:Dunes, beaches, coastal scrub, sandy thickets.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

General Comments:Works well to control erosion (wind and water) on dunes.