Flora of North America species comparison

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Suriana maritima

bay-cedar, guitar
Habit Shrubs 0.7–3(–8) m, sometimes trees in sheltered sites, densely branched.
Leaves

10–40 × 1–5(–7) mm.
Inflorescences

1–23-flowered.
Flowers

calyx 6–10 mm;

petals ± 4 mm.
Fruits

4–6 mm diam.

Suriana maritima
Phenology Flowering year-round.
Habitat Sandy and coral-rock ocean shores, from just above high-water line to low dunes and hammocks.
Elevation 0–10 m. (0–0 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
FL; Mexico; Central America; West Indies; n South America; se Asia; e Africa; Indian Ocean Islands; Pacific Islands; n Australia
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Discussion

Although Suriana maritima is widely distributed in the tropics, in the flora area it is native only to coastal Florida, west to the Dry Tortugas and north to Brevard and Pinellas counties, where much of its habitat has been eliminated by development.

A proportionately large air space within the drupelets enables them to float for long periods, thereby being dispersed by ocean currents. Because of its tolerance of salt and resistance to wind, Suriana maritima is valued as a landscape plant and for erosion control. In some parts of its range, the wood has a limited use for making small articles. Preparations from the leaves and bark have been used for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of fevers and intestinal problems (D. W. Nellis 1994).

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Source FNA vol. 10.
Parent taxa Surianaceae > Suriana
Name authority Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 284. (1753)
Web links 
Unless otherwise noted, all data comes from the online version of the Flora of North America, who have made most of their content available via a Creative Commons license (CC BY 4.0).



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