Suriana

Suriana maritima
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Surianaceae
Genus: Suriana
L.[1]
Species: S. maritima
Binomial name
Suriana maritima
L., 1753[2]

Suriana is a monotypic genus of flowering plants containing only Suriana maritima,[3] which is commonly known as bay cedar.[4] 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).[5] The leaves are alternate, simple, 1–6 cm (0.39–2.36 in) long and 0.6 cm (0.24 in) wide.[6] The grey-green, succulent foliage yields an aroma similar to that of cedar when crushed, hence the common name.[5] Its yellow flowers are solitary or in short[6] cymes among the leaves.[5] 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.[6] 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.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Suriana L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 1996-09-17. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  2. ↑ "Suriana maritima L.". TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  3. ↑ "Subordinate Taxa of Suriana L.". TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  4. ↑ "Suriana maritima". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Suriana maritima L. bay-cedar" (PDF). International Institute of Tropical Forestry. United States Forest Service. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  6. 1 2 3 Nelson, Gil (1996). The Shrubs and Woody Vines of Florida: a Reference and Field Guide. Pineapple Press, Inc. p. 345. ISBN 978-1-56164-110-9.
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