Scrub bay, Silk bay
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Persea borbonia var. humilis
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Lauraceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Accent tree in sunny, dry locations. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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Availability: |
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Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida. |
Description: |
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Medium tree or large shrub with a dense round-topped to cylindrical crown. Bark brown, thick, roughened by many furrows and ridges. Leaves medium green above, waxy beneath, 1-3 inches long, aromatic when crushed. |
Height: |
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Typically 15-25 feet in height in South Florida; to 38 feet in Florida. Taller than broad. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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Endemic to peninsular Florida from Volusia, Putnam, Marion and Levy County south to Palm Beach and Collier counties. |
Habitats: |
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Scrub, scrubby flatwoods and xeric hammocks. |
Soils: |
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Dry, well-drained sandy soils, without humus. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
Flower Color: |
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Greenish. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Inconspicuous. |
Flowering Season: |
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Spring. |
Fruit: |
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Rounded drupe. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Probably larval host plant for palamedes swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) and spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) butterflies. Attracts pollinators. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from de-pulped seed. Plant right away; seeds do not store well. Sprinkle soil over the seed to just cover. Place container in light shade or full sun. |
Comments: |
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An herbarium voucher from Palm Beach County is needed. |
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