Bay cedar

Description

Suriana is a monotypic genus of flowering plants containing only Suriana maritima, which is commonly known as bay cedar. It has a pantropical distribution and can be found on coasts in the New and Old World tropics. Bay cedar is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually reaching a height of 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) and sometimes reaching 6 m (20 ft). The leaves are alternate, simple, 1–6 cm (0.39–2.36 in) long and 0.6 cm (0.24 in) wide. The grey-green, succulent foliage yields an aroma similar to that of cedar when crushed, hence the common name. Its yellow flowers are solitary or in short cymes among the leaves. Flowers have a diameter of 1.5 cm (0.59 in) when open, with petals 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long and sepals 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long. Bay cedar flowers throughout the year. After fertilisation, the flowers form clusters of five dry, hard drupes 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter. The drupes are buoyant and can maintain the viability of the seeds during long periods in seawater, allowing the seeds to be dispersed by the ocean.