Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton (Curry Hammock State Park)

Nomenclature

Common Name:

bay-cedar

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Suriana maritima

Family:

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, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Hedge or specimen plant in coastal areas.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- 1Stays wet

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

neutral to calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

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.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

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