NPSpecies

see comments; Data Source: Higgins, 1971

see comments; Data Source: Higgins, 1971

Park Species Detail: Hamilton, 2004: Voucher specimen probable at MARY./ Higgins, 1971: #200. Persea Borbonia (L.) Spreng. Red Bay. Pine woodland, infrequent./ (referring to Persea palustris) = Lea, C. April, 2000:This small understory tree was reported from the Green Run area by Hill (1986). Roeder found a large number of trees in forests south of the Green Run (Jackson's Lodge) road, but some of these may have been Magnolia virginiana L., which also is frequent in this area and which looks similar, from a distance. The number of individuals on Assateague should be more carefully assessed. It is doubtful that the species occurs north of Green Run on Assateague in significant numbers. A number of trees were confirmed along the Green Run Road; protection of these should be considered in park operations, as this southern tree can be most easily observed in this situation. Other trees are secluded, and no special management is contemplated. It also apparently extant on the Delmarva mainland, and the relative regional importance of the Assateague occurrence should be assessed. Persea palustris is apparently represented in Maryland Heritage Biodiversity Conservation Program rankings as Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng. (Maryland Natural Heritage Program, 1994). Although earlier treatments may have included the two taxa under a single species (Fernald, 1950) (Brown and Brown, 1972), the two are presently considered distinct, with the range of Persea borbonia not including Maryland (Hill, 1986) (Gleason and Cronquist, 1991) (B. McAvoy, pers. comm.). As no rank change based on rarity is recommended, Persea palustris should be added to the MHBCP ranks as the rank assigned to Persea borbonia, and the ranking for Persea borbonia for Maryland should be SRF (reported in error)./ (referring to Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg.) = Hill, 1986: Native. Evergreen tree. June-July. Woodland. Infrequent to rare; restricted to the Green Run Bay area. Approaching its northern limit. Very rare according to the MNHP. Often reported (as by Higgins and by Harvill (1967) as P. borbonia (L.) Spreng., a species with glabrous twigs. (Higgins #200). MD & VA., Park Species Data Source: Higgins et al (1971)