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Suriana maritima

Family

Surianaceae

Botanical Name

Suriana maritima L.

Linnaeus, C. von (1753) Species Plantarum 2: 284. Type: Habitat ad littora maris in Bermudis, Jamaica..

Common name

Cedar, Bay; Bay Cedar

Stem

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1-4 m tall.

Leaves

Leaves without veins or veins very difficult to discern. Leaf blades about 20 x 4 mm, puberulent on both the upper and lower surfaces. Twigs pubescent.

Flowers

Sepals about 5-10 x 2-4 mm. Petals shortly clawed, about as long as the sepals. Stamens ten, dimorphic, five long and five short, anther filaments hairy. Ovaries densely clothed in erect white hairs. Ovules 2 per carpel (ovary). Styles five, i.e. one per carpel (ovary), attached laterally towards the base.

Fruit

Nutlets about 2.5-3 mm diam., +/- enclosed in the persistent perianth. Nutlets pubescent, style remnants attached towards the pointed end. Testa very thin and fragile.

Seedlings

Features not available.

Distribution and Ecology

Occurs in NT, CYP, NEQ and southwards as far as coastal central Queensland. Altitudinal range very small, being found on beaches close to sea level. Grows in beach forest and strand vegetation. Also occurs in Asia, Malesia and the Pacific islands.

Natural History

This species may have medicinal properties. (http://squid2.laughingsquid.net/hosts/herbweb.com /herbage/A26116.htm)