Litsea aestivalis (Linnaeus) Fernald. Common name: Pondspice. Phenology: Mar-Apr; May-Jun. Habitat: Margins of limesink ponds and Carolina bays, less commonly in wet depressions and wet stringers dominated by shrubs. Distribution: A Southeastern Coastal Plain endemic: e. MD (Wicomico County) and se. VA (York and Isle of Wight counties) south to n. FL (and allegedly also in LA, based on an old and poorly labeled specimen).
ID notes: The fine, zigzag twigs are distinctive. Litsea aestivalis grows to 6 m tall, characteristically forming a rounded multi-stemmed bush.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = F, Fl2, FNA3, GW2, K4, NS, POWO, RAB, Va, WH3, Jiménez-Pérez & Lorea-Hernández (2009); = Laurus aestivalis L. = Malapoenna geniculata J.M.Coult. — S13; = n/a — C, Tat. Basionym: Laurus aestivalis L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Litsea aestivalis - FNA3
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
© J.W. Hardin | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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native range: southeastern United States
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