Swamp Bay is a medium-sized evergreen tree with dark green, entire, alternate leaves. Common in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, it was recently split from the similar Red Bay (Persea borbonia), which is rare in NC and found only along the immediate coastline north to Carteret County. Swamp Bay has densely pubescent twigs, unlike the glabrous (smooth) twigs of Red Bay. The leaves of both have an aroma like that of the European true laurel or bay tree, Laurus nobilis, and can be used for similar purposes.

Carteret Co., NC 4/14/07.

The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of the Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes).

Persea palustris is in grave danger from a fungus (Ophiostoma sp.) carried by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), introduced from Asia. Many of the trees in the southeastern part of North Carolina are already dead. The redbay wilt, or laurel wilt disease, is spreading rapidly in coastal North Carolina, and has already destroyed most Persea trees in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It has been reported in Sassafras (Sassafras albidum); other members of the laurel family (Lauraceae) may be susceptible.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/27/05.

The leaves are often covered with galls.

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

Another type of gall, even more bizarre, looking like a flower head!

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

Young twigs are densely rusty-pubescent.

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

The flowers are small and greenish-white.

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/27/05.

The drupes are dark blue-black. Swamp Bay is in the same genus as the avocado, Persea americana, though the fruit is composed of almost all seed, with a very thin pulp.

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.

Dare Co., NC 11/3/2005.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.