Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg.
Detail
- Family
- Lauraceae
- Botanical Name
- Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg.
- Common Name
- Red Bay, Swamp Bay, Swamp Red Bay
- Synonym(s)
- Persea borbonia (L.) Sprengel var. pubescens (Pursh) Little
- Flora of Virginia Name/Status
- Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg.
- Comments
- Laurel wilt, a fungal disease of plants in the Lauraceae, is causing widespread mortality in the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The fungus (Raffaelea sp.) is introduced into trees by an exotic Asian insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). Although not yet widespread in Virginia Persea populations, the disease could have a devastating impact on them in the near future.
- Habitat
- Peaty, nonriverine swamps, wet flatwoods, pocosins, and maritime forests. Infrequent to locally common in the Coastal Plain, mostly near the coast; most common in the Great Dismal Swamp and in swamp and maritime forests of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach cities.
- Native Status
- Native
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