Family: Lauraceae

Form: Evergreen tree reaching 40 to 50 ft.

Leaves: Simple, alternate, broadly lanceolata, glossy green

Stem/Bark: Dark brown, ridged

Flower: Yellowish-green, inconspicuous

Fruit: Drupes, dark blue with orange-red peduncles

Comments: A related native landscape tree, Persea palustris, is similar in form but with large showy flowers and leaves with silver appearance underneath.