Silk Bay is a deciduous small tree or large shrub native to Florida. It is a member of the laurel family. It prefers well-drained to dry sandy soil and full sun. It works well in coastal gardens, being moderately tolerant to salt spray, but does not tolerate flooding by salty water. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This species is highly susceptible to laurel wilt.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheHesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Wilma'Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'Ligustrum japonicum
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Rounded
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Fragrant
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Fragrant when crushed.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Insignificant
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit detail
Rounded drupe black when ripe
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Gray
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Florida
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Fruit type
Drupe
Edibility
Fresh or dried leaves can be used for tea.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden; Edible Garden
Design feature
Accent; Small Tree
Garden tags
#small tree #black fruits #salt spray tolerant #accent