 | This article has an unclear citation style. (February 2024) |
| Gordonia lasianthus | |
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| Gordonia lasianthus flower | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Theaceae |
| Genus: | Gordonia |
| Species: | G. lasianthus
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| Binomial name | |
| Gordonia lasianthus (L.) Ellis
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| Natural range | |
Gordonia lasianthus (loblolly-bay, holly-bay, gordonia, or bay) is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree or shrub found in acidic, swampy soils of pinelands and bays on the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains of the southeastern United States. It is a member of the tea or family Theaceae. It is slow growing with soft, light-colored (varies in color from cream to carmine), fine-grained wood of little commercial value, although loblolly-bay could be managed as a source of pulpwood. When older specimens are cut, the wood exudes a strong scent. It is similar to a mixture of fresh oranges and pine sap. The bark of the adult tree varies from medium grey to a red brown coloration. Dead adult specimens of loblolly bay exhibit a lustrous shine when exposed to sunlight for several years. The white showy flowers and shiny foliage make it a desirable ornamental, but it is not easy to cultivate. Deer browse stump sprouts heavily.
- ^ Rivers, M.C. (2015). "Gordonia lasianthus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T62077548A62077558. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T62077548A62077558.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.