Suriana maritima

bay-cedar

Natives in the Caribbean frequently used this plant as a fire starter. Bartolome Las Casas recorded that they “took two branches of it, very dry, with one the size of two fingers, and they made in it with the fingernails or a rock a little groove, and put this stick between their feet. The other was narrower, like a finger, the point rounded, and of this in the notch, with both palms of the hands twirled it like a drill, with great force.”

Cultures will often name plants in accordance with their uses and a few common names for this plant indicate the plant’s use as a flavoring for food, including crisse marine (marine cress) and oseiile bord de mer (seaside sorrel).

In Venezuela, stems have been carved into spoons.

The plant is used medicinally in various locations throughout its native Caribbean range. Bahamians and Cubans use the plant to treat mouth sores. Leaves and branches are put in baths to treat rheumatism in Cuba. “Rheumatism” is a very general ailment category that includes many aches and pains, especially those related to joints. Pretty much everyone who gets to a certain age begins to experience rheumatic pains or restrictions, so treatments for this category of conditions is quite common. Most treatments focus on temporary alleviation of pain rather than affecting a cure. One reason for this is likely the difficulty of diagnosing the cause of rheumatic pain, especially without modern medical technology.

Bay cedar has a high tolerance for salt spray, sun and wind, so it makes a great seaside plant and can function as a screen if so desired. It also doesn’t need any irrigation when established, and that is always a big plus.

The seeds are buoyant and can be dispersed from coast to coast by floating on the waves.