Butterfly Gardening for Texas by Ajilvsgi Geyata;

Author:Ajilvsgi, Geyata;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Published: 2013-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

HERCULES’-CLUB PRICKLY-ASH

RED BAY

USED BY: Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes).

PARTS EATEN: Young to midmature foliage.

NOTE: Almost all portions of this plant except the fruit produce a numbing effect when chewed; thus, one of its common names is Toothache Tree, as it was used often by earlier settlers to numb the pain of this common ailment. The dried, berrylike fruits can be ground and used as an herbal seasoning instead of black pepper.

Red Bay

(Persea borbonia)

Family: Laurel (Lauraceae)

Class: Native

Bloom period: May–June

Height: To 30 feet

Range: 3, 4, 6

An evergreen or persistent-leaved tree, rarely obtaining maximum height, usually with many trunks from the base and forming large clump. Bark of young tree reddish-brown, relatively smooth, later developing shallow furrows and ridges. Leaves aromatic, thick and leathery, bright green on upper surface and somewhat whitish or silvery underneath. Flowers small, creamy, and borne in small clusters from leaf axils. Small, dark blue to black fruits follow, each containing a solitary seed.

CULTIVATION: Although Red Bay usually grows in naturally moist areas, it can easily be grown in the garden in just about any soil with just a bit of extra care. Use no commercial fertilizer with this one. Instead, work lots of well-rotted leaves or compost into the soil and add a mulch of shredded leaves or pine straw.

Another requirement for Red Bay is excellent drainage. Unless the tree is planted on a sloping lot, loamy soil alone does not provide enough drainage. The best planting program is to use wide, raised beds at least one foot above the surrounding area and wide enough to give the plant enough area for root growth. A bed six by six feet is large enough for a number of years. Dig the original soil to a depth of two to three feet, and refill with a mixture of sandy loam and rich compost, shredded leaves, or well-rotted sawdust. A mixture of sand and coarse pine bark worked into the soil is excellent, keeping the soil loose, aerated, and well drained. Give Red Bay a little supplemental water now and then, because of the extra drainage required. In the second year after planting, if the shrub is well established and growing nicely, trim a few of the branches back occasionally to promote new growth. The plant will resprout into a clump of new stems with a lot of new growth.

Red Bay is susceptible to a leaf gall that disfigures the leaves, making them unpalatable for butterfly larvae. At the first sign of infestation, spot-spray with a mild Sevin solution. After a day or so, hose the plant down to remove the spray, or the plants will not be used for egg deposition.

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