Wetland Plant of the Week #21

Gordonia lasianthus

Loblolloy Bay

Facultative Wet, evergreen tree with alternate, leathery leaves with toothed margins; the lower sides of leaves are a shade of green lighter than that on the top surface. As shown in the picture, the flowers have five petals and display numerous yellow stamens at center.

This one was photographed earlier this week near Big Shoals State Park in Florida.