Persea Mill. (Lauraceae)

A genus of about 200 species of trees and shrubs; America and Asia.

Two species occur in North Carolina; both are considered native to the state.

1.Twigs glabrous or glabrate; lower surfaces of leaves with minute, silvery to shining-golden hairs (the color depending on age), appressed to the surface; peduncles 1-3 cm long; leaves tending to be smaller and blunter...P. borbonia (Red bay)

Bark of Persea borbonia (coming soon)

Twigs of Persea borbonia (coming soon)

Leaves of Persea borbonia (coming soon)

Flowers of Persea borbonia (coming soon)

Fruit of Persea borbonia (coming soon)

N.C. distribution of Persea borbonia

U.S. distribution of Persea borbonia

Persea borbonia (Red bay)
(Common; dunes, maritime forests, in dry sandy soils on barrier islands, known only north to Carteret County, NC; CP; Fl: May-Jun, Fr: Sep-Oct)

1. Twigs densely rusty-pubescent; lower surfaces of leaves with longer, rusty, often crooked hairs, not appressed, especially evident along the midrib and principal veins; peduncles 4-7 cm long; leaves tending to be larger and more acute...P. palustris (Red bay, swamp bay)

Bark of Persea palustris (coming soon)

Terminal bud of Persea palustris (Photo: A. Krings, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

Axillary buds of Persea palustris (Photo: A. Krings, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

Twig of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Drupes of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Drupes of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

Drupes of Persea palustris (Copyright W. Cook)

N.C. distribution of Persea palustris (coming soon)

U.S. distribution of Persea palustris

Persea palustris (Red bay, swamp bay)
(Common; swamps, pocosins, bay forests, maritime forests, generally in wet peaty soils, but also in fairly dry, sandy soils in maritime forests; CP; Fl: May-Jun, Fr: Sep-Oct)