loblolly bay

plural loblolly bays · alternative loblolly-bay

1. Any of species Gordonia lasianthus of elegant white-flowered evergreen shrubs or small trees, growing in the maritime parts of the southern United States. Its bark is sometimes used in tanning.

   [T]hat elegant evergreen-tree, called in South Carolina and the Floridas, the Loblolly-bay[.]

   1770, John Ellis, “A Copy of a Letter from John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. to Dr. Linnaeus, F. R. S. &c.”, in Philosophical Transactions (1683-1775), volume 60, page 519

   Synonyms: black laurel, holly bay, tan bay, swamp laurel, bloodwood, Laplacea haemotoxylon

2. A similar West Indian tree of species Gordonia haematoxylon.