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Loblolly Bay - Gordonia lasianthus

Landscape Index Page Native landscape trees Native landscape shrubs

Pictures - Loblolly Bay Tree, flower close-up

Family - Theaceae

Natural Habitat - Swamps, Bogs, Wet Flatwoods

Planting Zone - 7 through 10

Description - Native evergreen tree to 60 feet in height, narrow conical crown. Leaves are dark green above & light green on the bottom surface, alternate, oblong, lightly serrate to crenate, 2 1/2 to 6 inches long.

Loblolly Bay has fragrant white or creamy white flowers, 2-3 inches across, cup shaped with 5 petals surrounding numerous golden-yellow stamens. Begins flowering in spring and continues throughout the summer.

Landscape use - Ornamental, specimen, especially where a narrow crown tree is needed due to limited space.

Culture - Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Loblolly Bay is a swamp dweller & should be grown in acidic, wet to seasonally flooded soils rich in organic content. Prefers shade but will tolorate full sun in perpetually wet areas, this is due to its shallow root system. Loblolly Bay has a low drought tolerance & is not tolerant of salt or alkaline soil.