Persea of North Carolina identification key
Red bay and swamp bay are often confused. Many identified as red bay (P. borbonia) and graded as research are likely swamp bay if the observation is inland. Even more likely if the observation is in a swamp or pocosin. The key calls out the differences in trichomes. These differences are not helpful after the trichomes have fallen away. The lack of trichomes when casually identifying a bay is likely a source of species confusion. I too have been a victim. Self-inflicted, sure.
Key from https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Genus.aspx?id=912
Leaving out avocado (P. americana). This species is found in North Carolina, but only in the grocery store. Delicious.
1 Leaf blade underside with erect, ascending, to loosely spreading trichomes (not straight and not tightly appressed, not subparallel); peduncles 1-7 cm long; fruit 6-10 mm wide or long; generally of mesic-hydric to flood-prone sites P. palustris
1 Leaf blade underside sericeous with straight, tightly appressed and nearly parallel trichomes; peduncles 0.5-3 cm long; fruit 8-12 mm wide or long; generally of mesic-xeric to xeric sites of well-drained sand
2 Leaf blade underside white-sericeous; fruit 8-11 mm wide or long; generally of mesic to xeric sites P. borbonia var. borbonia
2 Leaf blade underside rusty or coppery-sericeous; fruit 10-12 mm wide or long; restricted to xeric sites P. borbonia var. humilis (Florida endemic and not in North Carolina)
More info: https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/gtr/gtr_srs265.pdf
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