| Suriana | |
|---|---|
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| 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[2] | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Suriana is amonotypic genus offlowering plants containing onlySuriana maritima,[4] which is commonly known asbay cedar.[5]
It has apantropical distribution and can be found oncoasts in theNew andOld Worldtropics.[citation needed]Native to south Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and in some parts of the Old World tropical zone.
Bay cedar is an evergreenshrub or smalltree, usually reaching a height of 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) and sometimes reaching 6 m (20 ft).[6] Theleaves arealternate, simple, 1–6 cm (0.39–2.36 in) long and 0.6 cm (0.24 in) wide.[7] The grey-green,succulent foliage yields an aroma similar to that ofcedar when crushed, hence the common name.[6] Its yellowflowers are solitary or in short[7]cymes among the leaves.[6] Flowers have a diameter of 1.5 cm (0.59 in) when open, withpetals 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long andsepals 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long. Bay cedar flowers throughout the year.[7][1] Afterfertilisation, the flowers form clusters of five dry, harddrupes 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter. The drupes arebuoyant and can maintain the viability of theseeds during long periods inseawater, allowing the seeds to bedispersed by theocean.[6]
Bay cedar is used for aromatic purposes and as hedges and landscaping.[citation needed]
