Red Bay Persea, Bay tree, Shorebay
Persea borbonia

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 12-18 m high. It spreads 8 m wide. The trunk is 60 cm across. The bark is dark or reddish-brown. It becomes furrowed into broad scaly ridges. The leaves are sword shaped. They are 6-15 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. They have short leaf stalks and are leathery. They leaves have the edges slightly rolled under. They are shiny green above and paler underneath. The flowers are small and in long panicles. They are 5 mm long and light yellow. The fruit are dark blue and 12 mm across. They have a 6 lobed cup at the base.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows naturally in the swamps of southern North America. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Bahamas, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are spicy and used to flavour soups and meats. The leaves are used fresh or dried. The leaves are also used for tea.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Laurus borbonia L.; Laurus caroliniensis Michx.; Persea caroliniensis Nees; Persea littoralis Small; Tamala borbonia (L.) Raf. Tamala littoralis (Small) Small;