Sweetbay

Magnolia

 virginiana

The Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) has leaves with conspicuous white undersides that one cannot miss as they flash in the wind. It is for this reason that Sweetbay is also known as the White Bay. Its fragrant leaves can also be used to season food in the same manner as bay leaves. Although the tree is called a bay, it is not related to the Red Bay (Persea borbonia var. borbonia), Silk Bay (Persea borbonia var. humilis), or Swamp Bay (Persea palustris), but is actually a Magnolia.