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Characteristics
 Family-
Lauraceae--The Laurel Family
- Origin
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Native NC
- Plant Description
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Evergreen tree
- Coastal Ecology
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A Bay is a name given to trees with a similar outward appearance by the early botanists that explored the coastal plain. Bays are broadleaf evergreens, with simple, elliptical-shaped leaves with entire, not toothed margins, and often bearing foliage which is aromatic when crushed. There are a number of trees which fit this description and all share the common name, Bay. Persea palustris is the Swamp redbay. Swamp redbay is the most common redbay found in North Carolina, and is the only redbay found from about Bogue Banks northwards. Swamp redbay is a beautiful medium sized tree or shrub which grows very commonly in coastal areas. Old reports state that the Swamp redbay grows only in swampy areas, but it also flourishes along the dry dunes in the northern coastal counties. Leaves of the Redbay are elliptical in shape with a pointed tip. They are most often seen bearing conspicuous, fleshy galls which are caused by a tiny fly-like insect. These galls are unsightly, but do not harm the plant. The redbays are very closely related to the true Mediterranean bay leaf tree, Laurus nobilis, leaves of which are used for flavoring stews and spaghetti sauce. The European colonists found that the native Redbays could be used for that same purpose, and are still used in cooking by many coastal residents. The Swamp redbay has leaf undersides, petioles and twigs clothed in curly, brownish hairs. The fruit of both Redbays is a dark blackish berry, often produced in pairs on a short to long stalk. Persea palustris is the Redbay, a Facultative Wetland species. 56. REDBAY. Redbay is a medium sized, evergreen tree found in wetlands and dry, upland areas along the coast. Leaves of Redbay are simple, alternate, leathery, and with a spicy fragrance when crushed. Leaves of Persea palustris have long been used by coastal residents as a substitute for the Bay leaves of Italian cuisine, which are harvested from the Grecian laurel, Laurus nobilis. The leaves of Redbay frequently bear swollen deformations along the edges which are galls caused by a tiny insect called a psyllid. A rusty red pubescence, or hairiness often covers the undersurface of the leaves, especially along the veins, and the young twigs, as seen here. The fruits of redbay are shiny, bluish black berries borne on a medium to long stalk.
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