Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

swamp bay

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Persea palustris

Family:

Lauraceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

15-30 (50) ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

black

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

If you have this plant in your landscape, retain it to supply larval food for the spicebush swallowtail and other butterflies.

Considerations:

Do not move deadwood. It will spread the disease.

Availability:

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds



  • Larval host plant for palamedes swallowtail ( Papilio palamedes) and spicebush swallowtail ( Papilio troilus) butterflies.


  • Attracts bees.


Seed eaten and dispersed by birds.

Native Habitats:

Shallow areas in swamps, hydric savannas, seep slopes including cutthroat seeps, wet flatwoods, sloughs.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This species and other members of the Lauraceae are being attacked by a serious, fatal disease. Do not plant this plant unless you are absolutely sure that it is not infected!