Gordonia lasianthus

(Linnaeus) J. Ellis

Philos. Trans. 60: 523. 1771 ,.

Common names: Loblolly bay
IllustratedEndemic
Basionym: Hypericum lasianthus Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 2: 783. 1753
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 8. Treatment on page 325. Mentioned on page 324.

Trees columnar; twigs reddish, smooth. Leaf blades (8–)10–16(–30) × (2.5–)3–5 cm, margins toothed on distal 1/2 (rarely proximal to middle), teeth deciduously gland-tipped, abaxial surface with 2–7-fascicled, straight hairs. Pedicels 1–2 mm diam. at narrowest point. Flowers: sepals obovate, 9–11 × 7–9 mm, base constricted; petals to 2–3 × 1.5–2.5 cm, apex rounded; filaments: free portion 4–6 mm. Capsules 1.5–2 × 0.9-1 cm, hairy; columella adnate to valves at base. Seeds 9–11 mm including apical wing, 3–3.5 mm wide. 2n = 30, 36.


Phenology: Flowering (Apr-)Jun–Jul(-Oct).
Habitat: Wet soils, including swamp forests, especially pocosins, wet savannas, bay forests, depressions in fluvial sand ridges
Elevation: 0-200 m

Distribution

V8 646-distribution-map.gif

Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C.

Discussion

Gordonia lasianthus is relatively common in the southeastern United States. NatureServe lists its global status as G5, and it is of conservation concern in Mississippi (S3, vulnerable) and Alabama (S1, critically imperiled). Specific threats are not indicated; Mississippi is at the western edge of the range; habitat in Alabama is likely under development pressure. It is a handsome columnar tree that is occasionally available as an ornamental in the horticultural trade. Senescing leaves turn bright red before falling. It is listed as a facultative wetland species by the USDA Plants database for region 2.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Gordonia lasianthus"
Linda M. Prince +
(Linnaeus) J. Ellis +
Hypericum lasianthus +
Loblolly bay +
Ala. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Miss. +, N.C. +  and S.C. +
0-200 m +
Wet soils, including swamp forests, especially pocosins, wet savannas, bay forests, depressions in fluvial sand ridges +
Flowering (Apr-)Jun–Jul(-Oct). +
Philos. Trans. +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Gordonia lasianthus +
Gordonia +
species +