redbay

Tamala borbonia

The redbay tree is a tall, evergreen tree with shiny leaves and small, dark berries. It grows in warm, wet areas and provides food and shelter for many animals.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The redbay is an evergreen tree with shiny, dark green, lance-shaped leaves that can be crushed for a spicy aroma. It produces small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers, followed by clusters of dark blue to black berries.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLauralesFamilyLauraceaeGenusPersea

redbay

Interesting facts

Crush a redbay leaf and it smells like a spicy mix of bay laurel and citrus!

Its dark blue-black berries are a tasty snack for over 20 different kinds of birds!

Sailors once used redbay wood to build boats because it's so strong and durable!

This tree is a relative of the avocado, both are in the same plant family!

Special abilities

Redbay has aromatic leaves that can be used as a spice, helping it deter some herbivores.

Redbay is evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves all year, helping it make food even in winter.

Redbay can grow in both wet swamps and dry uplands, helping it survive in many places.

Measurements & details

Height: 300-2000 cm
Spread: 150-1000 cm
Flower Size: 0.3-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

depends on

Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

Xyleborus glabratus

spreads a deadly fungus to redbay trees.

eats

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

forages on the redbay's nutritious berries.

shelters

Spicebush Swallowtail

Papilio troilus

uses the leaves as food for its caterpillars.

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Evergreen

Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.

Fruit Bearing

Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.