Description

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Suriana maritima (Bay cedar) is a native florida shrub reaching a height of 5 – 20 feet. It has a somewhat oval-shape, spreading dense crown, and a branch trunk with gracefully arching branches.

Furthermore, it has an attractive dark brown, rough, flaky bark. And leaves which are borne spirally at the branch ends and are evergreen, gray-green in color, alternate, simple, entire, spatulate in shape, downy and less than 2 inches long. Flowers are yellow, small, about 5/16 inch long, cup-shape; borne singly or in clusters and inconspicuous, attracting butterflies.

Furthermore, the fruits are round, hard, brown, hairy, 5-pointed capsule, about 1/2 inch long, attracting birds. Seeds are used for propagation. Mixtures made from the leaf and branches are used in herbal medicine. The wood is hard, dark red and polishes very well. Suriana maritima (Bay cedar) grows in a range of well-drained soils and has no serious pests.

Although, it is uncommon as a florida landscape plant, but has applications as a buffer hedge, for medians or around parking lots and in containers. With pruning, it is a suitable a small tree. It is perfect for coastal areas, because of its high salt tolerance and ideal for a native plant garden.