Virginia Tech Dendrology

swampbay Lauraceae Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg. Listen to the Latin symbol: PEPA37
Leaf: Alternate, simple, entire margins, lance-shaped, evergreen, 3 to 7 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide, spicy odor when crushed, dark green above, pale pubescent below, with rusty hairs along the midrib.
Flower: Small, light yellow-green occurring in small, clusters in leaf axils.
Fruit: Dark blue, round drupe 1/3 to 1/2 inch, mature in early fall.
Twig: Moderately stout, densely covered with brownish hairs, angled or ridged, buds are short and covered in rusty colored hairs.
Bark: Reddish brown, irregular furrows with flat-topped ridges, quite thick.
Form: Large shrub or small tree, 30 feet tall.
Looks like: redbay - camphortree - sweetbay magnolia - loblolly bay
leaf flower twig bark form1 map
Additional Range Information: Persea palustris is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting swampbay.
External Links: USDA Plants Database - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material © 2017 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson