Smithsonian Gardens
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Taxon
Persea
borbonia
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Common name:
Red Bay, Tisswood
Family:
Lauraceae (Laurel)
Distribution:
SE US
Habitat:
Full sun to part shade, hot and dry to wet and swampy soils.
Hardiness:
0 - 50 F
Life form:
Evergreen tree
Bloom Time:
April to May
Fruit characteristics:
Blue or black fruit which begins to mature in summer and ends in fall. August to September.
Attracts:
Birds, butterflies
Foliage characteristics:
Simple, alternate, pointed, green leaves with entire margins. Emit a spicy smell when crushed. 2-4" long.
Average height:
30-40'
Ethnobotanical uses:
Dried leaves used to spice food.
Medicinal/pharmaceutical:
Seminole tribe used this plant to induce vomiting.
Bark characteristics:
Ridged, red-brown bark.
Description:
Redbay leaves give off a spicy scent when crushed - also giving a hint to their use as a bayleaf substitute in stews.
Redbay is Endangered in Maryland.
Links:
Fire Effects Information System (FEIS)
•
NC State Extension
•
US Forest Service Fact Sheet
Locations
1:
National Museum of Natural History
(NMNH)
• Accession: 2011-1020*A
Area
Individual