species 4,061 observations
Loblolly Bay
Gordonia lasianthus
Field notes
Gordonia lasianthus (loblolly-bay, holly-bay, gordonia, or bay) is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree or shrub found in acidic, swampy soils of pinelands and bays on the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains of the southeastern United States. It is a member of the tea or family Theaceae. It is slow growing with soft, light-colored (varies in color from cream to carmine), fine-grained wood of little commercial value, although loblolly-bay could be managed as a source of pulpwood. When older specimens are cut, the wood exudes a strong scent. It is similar to a mixture of fresh oranges and pine sap. The bark of the adult tree varies from medium grey to a red brown coloration. Dead adult specimens of loblolly bay exhibit a lustrous shine when exposed to sunlight for several years. The white showy flowers and shiny foliage make it a desirable ornamental, but it is not easy to cultivate. Deer browse stump sprouts heavily.
Read more on WikipediaSupports All
supported in the US
Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
- Layer
- Trees
- Light
- Full sun
- Moisture
- Well drained Moist
- Water use
- High
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Deer resistant
- No
- Resists
- Wet soil
- Plant type
- Tree
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, NC State Extension and USDA PLANTS.