Suriana is a monotypic genus of flowering plants containing only Suriana maritima, which is commonly known as bay cedar. It has a pantropical distribution and can be found on coasts in the New and Old World tropics. Bay cedar is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually reaching a height of and sometimes reaching . The leaves are alternate, simple, long and wide. The grey-green, succulent foliage yields an aroma similar to that of cedar when crushed, hence the common name. Its yellow flowers are solitary or in short cymes among the leaves. Flowers have a diameter of when open, with petals  long and sepals  long. Bay cedar flowers throughout the year. After fertilisation, the flowers form clusters of five dry, hard drupes  in diameter. The drupes are buoyant and can maintain the viability of the seeds during long periods in seawater, allowing the seeds to be dispersed by the ocean.

Siriano (also called "Selea" or "Sürá") are a Tucanoan people indigenous to Colombia and Brazil. Their total population is estimated at 750, with most living in Colombia. Their exogamous culture means that, glossologically, speakers are identified by the first language of their father.