Species for lath in deep South

I live in the Deep South (Florida-Alabama border), and I’m trying to decide what species of timber to use for lath in a lath and plaster building… we don’t have chestnut or white oak down here (except live oak and post oak, neither of which really split into laths because they’re so twisted). I probably don’t have access to enough cedar.  I have access to everything in the southern red oak group (water oak, laurel oak, southern red oak, etc), which are generally considered not very rot resistant, and tulip poplar which is likewise not very rot resistant. I have unlimited access to any southern yellow pine species.  

Does the species used for lath matter much, or is it the anti-microbial action of the lime plaster that gives lath and plaster its durability? I’m terribly worried about rot since it’s so warm and humid here, but if the line effectively counteracts that and the wood species isn’t really important, maybe I’m overthinking it?

Hi Robert and welcome to Permies.
I'm not at all an expert on lathe buildings but from what I know after the initial drying of the wall it shouldn't get moist enough in there to rot wood.
I added your post to another sub forum (natural building), I'm sure we can find someone qualified to answer.

Welcome to the forum.

I have lots of oaks and cedar though dear hubby usually realizes on what is available at the local lumber yard.

We take 2 x 4`s which I think are pine and use the table saw to make lath.

Our use of lath is different from most folks.

Have you thought to use lath reclaimed from older homes?

I would paint, soak, or spray the wood with a concentrated solution of borax and/or boric acid....just dissolve into hot water as much as they will dissolve.  This will repel all kinds of rot, mold, and insects and should last as long as the wood doesn't get soaking wet and leaches it out.  

Last year I plastered my lath walls in my new home, I have probably 50 linear feet of lath walls. I really don’t think it matters what type of wood you use in terms of rot. Cedar and other tannin rich woods might actually be bad because they’ll bleed through, this happened on my clay base coat in a number of places. It also happened with pine and really sappy spots. If you are using lime, I don’t think rot or fungus/mold will be a problem at all. Lath is a lot of work, but they’re awesome walls! I did make some curved walls, they’re really no more difficult or time consuming than straight walls. It’s a beautiful material.