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.

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.

Ripening fruits.

Dare Co., NC 10/2/05.

Bladen Co., NC 10/7/06.

Dare Co., NC 10/2/05.

Bark of a young tree.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

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.

Young trees have a narrow, conical shape.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

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.