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]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^"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.