Loblolly Bay is 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. Like Camellia, Gordonia is in the tea family.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

One of our showiest native trees, Loblolly Bay is reportedly difficult to grow in cultivation.

Brunswick Co., NC 8/28/2010.

Though Loblolly Bay is mostly evergreen, some leaves turn red and drop off in the fall.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

There are numerous yellow stamens in each flower.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Open capsule from last year. The dry capsule, which has five locules and is loculicidal (opening along the seams), dispenses winged seeds.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

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.

Bark of a larger tree.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Young trees have a very 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.