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Myrica rubra - (Lour.)Siebold.&Zucc.

Common Name

Chinese Bayberry

Family

Myricaceae

USDA hardiness

9-11

Known Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, there is a report for some members of this genus that some of the constituents of the wax might be carcinogenic[222].

Habitats

Forests of C. and S. Japan[58]. Coastal districts in warm countries[174].

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(3 of 5)

Weed Potential

No

Medicinal Rating

(2 of 5)

Care (info)

Tender

Moist Soil

Semi-shade

Full sun


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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Myrica rubra is an evergreen Shrub growing to 15 m (49ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in leaf all year. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. nagi. non Thunb.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 105]. Succulent and aromatic[82], it has an agreeable sub-acid taste[183]. Juicy, sweetish and sour according to another report[174]. The fruit soon rots so it is difficult to grow commercially because of the problems of getting it to market in good condition[174]. The fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[200]. The seed is said to be edible[61, 177, 183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent Cardiac Carminative Cholera Pectoral Skin Stomachic Vulnerary

Astringent, carminative, vulnerary[174, 178]. The stem bark is used as a wash in the treatment of arsenic poisoning, skin diseases, wounds and ulcers[218]. The fruit is carminative, pectoral and stomachic[218]. The seed is used in the treatment of sweaty feet[218]. The plant is used in the treatment of cholera, heart ailments and stomach diseases[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[174]. (The part of the plant is not specified). Nitrogen Fixer.

Special Uses

Food Forest Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist soil. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade[200]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil[11]. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[1]. Not very hardy in Britain, it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country according to one report[1], whilst another says that it only succeeds in zone 10 and does not tolerate frosts[200]. Plants succeed outdoors in Japan as far north as Tokyo, but it is difficult to get them to fruit there[174].. This plant has been recommended for improvement by selection and breeding for its edible fruit. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Many species in this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Barely cover the seed and keep it moist. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a cold frame. Germination is usually good[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in the cold frame for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up and overwinter in a cold frame. Fair to good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a frame. Layering in spring[200]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Honshu (south), Hunan Sheng, Japan, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Korea, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku, Sichuan Sheng, South, Taiwan, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng,China. TROPICAL ASIA: Philippines,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Comptonia peregrina	Sweet Fern	Shrub	1.5	3-6	M	LM	SN	DM	3	3	3
Comptonia peregrina asplenifolia	Sweet Fern	Shrub	1.2	4-8		LM	SN	DM	3	3	3
Melaleuca leucadendra	Paperbark, Weeping Paperbark	Tree	30.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	2	4	3
Myrica californica	Californian Bayberry, California Wax Myrtle, California Barberry	Shrub	4.0	7-11	M	LMH	SN	M	3	1	3
Myrica cerifera	Wax Myrtle - Bayberry Wild Cinnamon, Southern Bayberry, Wax Myrtle, Southern Wax Myrtle	Shrub	9.0	7-11	F	LMH	SN	M	3	3	4
Myrica faya	Faya Bayberry	Shrub	10.0	9-11	F	LMH	N	DM	2	0	3
Myrica gale	Bog Myrtle, Sweetgale	Shrub	2.0	2-9		LMH	SN	MWe	2	2	4
Myrica heterophylla	Bayberry	Shrub	3.0	5-9		LMH	SN	DM	3	2	3
Myrica nagi	Box Myrtle	Tree	12.0	-		LMH	SN	M	2	3	3
Myrica pensylvanica	Northern Bayberry	Shrub	3.0	2-9		LMH	SN	DM	3	1	3
Myricaria elegans		Shrub	3.5	-		LMH	N	M	0	1	1
Myricaria germanica		Shrub	2.0	5-9		LMH	N	M	0	1	1
Myricaria squamosa		Shrub	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(Lour.)Siebold.&Zucc.

Botanical References

58200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Yechezkel Schatz	Wed Jun 25 12:19:37 2003

I found the Japanese name Yamamomo (or Yama momo) for the fruit.


J.X.	Fri Mar 3 2006

The fruit has a wonderful unique taste. In China, all fruit is picked ripe on the tree (unlike in North American practice). The fruit does not ripen well after it is picked. In China it seems to grow in colder places than zone 10, nor does it tolerate extreme tropical climates.


Rob	Sun Dec 7 2008

Edibility rating 2 ??? In China the fruit has been grown for 2,000 years. It’s so popular there that about twice as many acres are cultivated as the acres cultivated of apples in the US.


GreenMan	Tue Mar 10 2009

Where can I get a plant?


Pedro	Thu Oct 15 2009

Hello, my name Pedfro'm Spanish What price Myrica rubra seed? yamamomo.

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