Bay Cedar
(Suriana maritima)
Bay Cedar (Suriana maritima)
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jrcagle
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
jrcagle
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CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: jrcagle | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: jrcagle | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-29T11:57:27-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Suriana maritima, commonly known as Bay Cedar, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to coastal sand dunes and rocky shores in tropical and subtropical regions, including Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It typically reaches a height of 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) and is characterized by its grey-green, succulent foliage that emits a cedar-like aroma when crushed. The plant’s yellow flowers are solitary or in short cymes among the leaves, each with a diameter of 1.5 cm (0.59 in) when open, featuring petals 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long and sepals 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long. Bay Cedar is notable for its year-round flowering and the production of clusters of five dry, hard drupes that are buoyant and can disperse via seawater.
Bay Cedar is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in coastal conditions, making it an excellent choice for seaside gardens, xeriscaping, and erosion control. It is often used as a hedge or ornamental shrub in regions with sandy soils. This species requires minimal maintenance and is well-suited to full sun or part shade, with low to very low water requirements and a preference for well-drained soils. While it is generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Bay Cedar is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in coastal conditions, making it an excellent choice for seaside gardens, xeriscaping, and erosion control. It is often used as a hedge or ornamental shrub in regions with sandy soils. This species requires minimal maintenance and is well-suited to full sun or part shade, with low to very low water requirements and a preference for well-drained soils. While it is generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 6-16 feet
- Width: 6-10 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Very Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Coastal sand dunes and rocky shores in tropical and subtropical regions
Other Names
Common Names: Ciprestinho
Scientific Names: , Suriana maritima, Suriana maritima var. deplanchei,
GBIF Accepted Name: Suriana maritima L.