Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Theales>Theaceae>Gordonia lasianthus (L.) Ellis

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) flower

Loblolly Bay is a fairly common medium-sized evergreen tree of moist (but not wet) areas of the Coastal Plain with upright form and spectacular white fragrant Camellia-like flowers in summer. Like Camellia, Gordonia is in the tea family.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) flower

One of our showiest native trees, Loblolly Bay is reportedly difficult to grow in cultivation.

Brunswick Co., NC 8/28/2010.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) leaves

Though Loblolly Bay is mostly evergreen, some leaves turn red and drop off in the fall.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) flower

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) flower

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) flower

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) flower

There are numerous yellow stamens in each flower.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) fruit

Open capsule from last year. The dry capsule, which has five locules and is loculicidal (opening along the seams), dispenses winged seeds.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

The leathery leaves are finely toothed, unlike those of Swamp Bay (Persea palustris), which it could be confused with when not in flower or fruit.

Planted specimen, Chapel Hill, NC 9/9/06.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Ripening fruits.

Dare Co., NC 10/2/05.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Bladen Co., NC 10/7/06.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Dare Co., NC 10/2/05.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Bark of a young tree.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Bark of a medium-sized tree. The bark of medium-large trees is tight, blocky, and deeply furrowed, reminiscent of the bark of Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) or Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus).

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) bark

Bark of a larger tree.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus) bark

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus)

Young trees have a very narrow, conical shape.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

pocosin trees

Typical pocosin trees -- Loblolly Bay on left, Pond Pine (Pinus serotina) on right, with a sapling Atlantic Whitecedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) in the middle.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

More information:
Floridata
NC State Fact Sheet
USDA PLANTS database

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