Suriana

{{confused|Cedar Bay cherry}} {{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}} {{Speciesbox | image = Suriana maritima (Bay ceder).jpg | image_caption = ''S. maritima'' flower |status=LC |status_system=IUCN3.1 |status_ref=<ref>{{cite iucn|author1=((Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)))|author2=((IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group))|name-list-style=amp|year=2018|title=''Suriana maritima''|article-number=e.T66296722A130495114|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T66296722A130495114.en|access-date=26 November 2025}}</ref> | genus = Suriana | parent_authority = Plum ex L. (1753) | species = maritima | authority = L., 1753<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tropicos.org/Name/29400077 |title=''Suriana maritima'' L. |work=TROPICOS |publisher=Missouri Botanical Gardens |accessdate=2009-12-06}}</ref> | synonyms = * ''Bouzetia'' {{small|Montrouz. (1860)}} * ''Suriania'' <small>Post & Kuntze (1903)</small> * ''Bouzetia maritima'' {{small|Montrouz. (1860)}} |synonyms_ref = <ref name = powo>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:814158-1 ''Suriana maritima'' L.] ''Plants of the World Online''. Retrieved 14 December 2023.</ref> }}

'''''Suriana''''' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants containing only '''''Suriana maritima''''',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tropicos.org/NameSubordinateTaxa.aspx?nameid=40008037 |title=Subordinate Taxa of ''Suriana'' L. |work=TROPICOS |publisher=Missouri Botanical Gardens |accessdate=2009-12-06}}</ref> which is commonly known as '''bay cedar'''.<ref>{{PLANTS|id=SUMA2|taxon=Suriana maritima|accessdate=4 December 2015}}</ref>

==Distribution== It has a pantropical distribution and can be found on coasts in the New and Old World tropics.{{fact|date=June 2024}} Native to south Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and in some parts of the Old World tropical zone.

==Description== Bay cedar is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually reaching a height of {{convert|1|-|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} and sometimes reaching {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="IITF">{{cite web|title=''Suriana maritima'' L. bay-cedar|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Suriana%20maritima.pdf|accessdate=2009-12-06|work=International Institute of Tropical Forestry|publisher=United States Forest Service|archive-date=2010-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821061942/http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Suriana%20maritima.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The leaves are alternate, simple, {{convert|1|-|6|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|0.6|cm|in|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name="Nelson">{{cite book|last=Nelson|first=Gil|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vNMnsHiDkOkC|title=The Shrubs and Woody Vines of Florida: a Reference and Field Guide|publisher=Pineapple Press, Inc|year=1996|isbn=978-1-56164-110-9|page=345}}</ref> The grey-green, succulent foliage yields an aroma similar to that of cedar when crushed, hence the common name.<ref name="IITF" /> Its yellow flowers are solitary or in short<ref name="Nelson" /> cymes among the leaves.<ref name="IITF" /> Flowers have a diameter of {{convert|1.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} when open, with petals {{convert|6|-|10|mm|in|abbr=on}} long and sepals {{convert|7|-|10|mm|in|abbr=on}} long. Bay cedar flowers throughout the year.<ref name="Nelson" />[https://www.fnps.org/plant/suriana-maritima] After fertilisation, the flowers form clusters of five dry, hard drupes {{convert|3|-|4|mm|in|abbr=on}} 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.<ref name="IITF" />

==Uses== Bay cedar is used for aromatic purposes and as hedges and landscaping.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

==References== {{Commons category|Suriana}} {{Reflist}}

Category:Surianaceae Category:Monotypic Fabales genera Category:Pantropical flora Category:Halophytes Category:Constantly blooming plants Category:Plants described in 1753