Suriana
| Suriana | |
|---|---|
| |
| S. maritima flower | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Surianaceae |
| Genus: | Suriana Plum exL.(1753) |
| Species: | S. maritima
|
| Binomial name | |
| Suriana maritima L., 1753[1]
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Surianais amonotypicgenus offlowering plantscontaining onlySuriana maritima,[3]which is commonly known asbay cedar.[4]
Distribution
[edit]It has apantropicaldistribution and can be found oncoastsin theNewandOld Worldtropics.[citation needed] Native to south Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and in some parts of the Old World tropical zone.
Description
[edit]Bay cedar is an evergreenshrubor smalltree,usually reaching a height of 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) and sometimes reaching 6 m (20 ft).[5]Theleavesarealternate,simple, 1–6 cm (0.39–2.36 in) long and 0.6 cm (0.24 in) wide.[6]The grey-green,succulentfoliage yields an aroma similar to that ofcedarwhen crushed, hence the common name.[5]Its yellowflowersare solitary or in short[6]cymesamong the leaves.[5]Flowers have a diameter of 1.5 cm (0.59 in) when open, withpetals6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long andsepals7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long. Bay cedar flowers throughout the year.[6][1]Afterfertilisation,the flowers form clusters of five dry, harddrupes3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter. The drupes arebuoyantand can maintain the viability of theseedsduring long periods inseawater,allowing the seeds to bedispersedby theocean.[5]
Uses
[edit]Bay cedar is used for aromatic purposes and as hedges and landscaping.
References
[edit]
- ^"Suriana maritimaL. "TROPICOS.Missouri Botanical Gardens.Retrieved2009-12-06.
- ^Suriana maritimaL.Plants of the World Online.Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^"Subordinate Taxa ofSurianaL. "TROPICOS.Missouri Botanical Gardens.Retrieved2009-12-06.
- ^USDA, NRCS(n.d.)."Suriana maritima".The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov).Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team.Retrieved4 December2015.
- ^abcd"Suriana maritimaL. bay-cedar "(PDF).International Institute of Tropical Forestry.United States Forest Service. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2010-08-21.Retrieved2009-12-06.
- ^abcNelson, Gil (1996).The Shrubs and Woody Vines of Florida: a Reference and Field Guide.Pineapple Press, Inc. p. 345.ISBN978-1-56164-110-9.
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