Persea palustris

Photo by Shirley Denton. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 8A 8B 9A 9B 

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Swamp Bay

Lauraceae

Plant Specifics

Size:15-30 (50) ft
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:White
Fruit Color:Black
Phenology:Evergreen
Habitats:Shallow areas in swamps, hydric savannas, seep slopes including cutthroat seeps, wet flatwoods, sloughs.

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:If you have this plant in your landscape, retain it to supply larval food for the spicebush swallowtail and other butterflies.
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
Moisture Tolerance: Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Somewhat moist, no flooding
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray Tolerance:Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
Soil/Substrate:Organic material (muck), Sand

Wildlife

birdcaterpillarpollinator

Seed eaten and dispersed by birds.

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