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Summary
Wax myrtle is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing, evergreen shrub growing to 9m (29ft). It is native to the moist swampy woods and damp coastal areas of the southeast U.S. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun. The plant can tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure. Myrica cerifera L. is a synonym of Morella cerifera (L.) Small. Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Vase. Myrica species,
Myrica is a genus of small trees and shrubs widely distributed in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, with most species being evergreen and nitrogen-fixing. There are better-tasting berries, but bayberry’s other qualities make it worth considering. California Bayberry (M. californica) is a shrub growing to 4m (13ft) native to the Pacific Ocean coast of North America. It grows well on cool, moist coastlines, making it a good seaside windbreak. The fruit is edible, raw or cooked and has a large seed with little edible flesh. Wax Myrtle (M. cerifera) has smaller fruit and edible leaves for food flavouring. The leaves are aromatic, attractive, and a suitable substitute for bay leaves, which are used in flavouring soups and stews or as a robust tea. Faya Bayberry (M. faya), native to Native to Azores, Canary Is., Madeira and Portugal, is commonly used in reforestation and erosion control in arid environments, particularly volcanic soils. The small, dark red to purple berries of M. faya are technically edible, though not commonly consumed due to their astringent taste. They can be used to make jams or jellies when sweetened. Its medicinal properties, particularly its astringent and anti-inflammatory uses, have been traditionally recognized, especially in treating digestive issues, wounds, and infections. However, its use today is more limited compared to other species.
There are various ways to preserve fruits, such as drying, canning, or soaking them in liquor. Fruits can generally be categorized into two main types: sour fruits, commonly used for making dried fruits, and sweet fruits, typically consumed fresh or used for making juice. Bayberry fruit after five years.
Harvesting: Late summer to early autumn.
Physical Characteristics
Myrica cerifera is an evergreen Shrub growing to 9 m (29ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen in October. 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. The plant is not self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Cerothamnus arborescens, Cerothamnus cerifer, Morella cerifera, Myrica mexicana, Myrica pumila.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea
Fruit - raw or cooked[105, 177, 183]. The fruit is about 3mm in diameter with a large seed[200]. There is very little edible flesh and the quality is poor[K]. Leaves and berries are used as a food flavouring[62, 105, 177]. They make an aromatic, attractive and agreeable substitute for bay leaves, and can be used in flavouring soups, stews etc[183]. The dried leaves are brewed into a robust tea[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.
Antibacterial Astringent Dysentery Emetic Narcotic Sternutatory Stimulant Tonic
Wax myrtle is a popular herbal remedy in North America where it is employed to increase the circulation, stimulate perspiration and keep bacterial infections in check[254]. The plant should not be used during pregnancy[254]. The root bark is antibacterial, astringent, emetic (in large doses), sternutatory, stimulant and tonic[4, 21, 46, 165, 213, 254]. It is harvested in the autumn, thoroughly dried then powdered and kept in a dark place in an airtight container[4]. It is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, jaundice, fevers, colds, influenza, catarrh, excessive menstruation, vaginal discharge etc[4, 238, 254]. Externally, it is applied to indolent ulcers, sore throats, spongy gums, sores, itching skin conditions, dandruff etc[4, 238, 254]. The wax is astringent and slightly narcotic[4]. It is regarded as a sure cure for dysentery and is also used to treat internal ulcers[4]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and externally as a wash for itchy skin[222].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye Hedge Hedge Wax Wood
Agroforestry uses: Bayberry is useful as a windbreak or hedge. Its dense foliage provides shelter for wildlife, and it can also help with soil stabilization due to its extensive root system. A wax covering on the fruit contains palmitic acid and is extracted by scalding the fruit with boiling water and immersing them for a few minutes, the wax floats to the surface and is then skimmed off. The fruit is then boiled in water to extract the wax from the pulp and once more the wax is skimmed off. It is then strained through a muslin cloth and can be used to make aromatic candles, sealing wax etc[1, 4, 6, 11, 62, 95, 171, 245, 274]. Candles made from this wax are quite brittle but are less greasy in warm weather[213]. They are slightly aromatic, with a pleasant balsamic odour[245], and do not smoke when put out, making them much more pleasant to use that wax or tallow candles[213]. The wax is also used in making soaps[213]. About 1 kilo of wax can be obtained from 4 kilos of berries[4]. A blue dye is obtained from the fruit[6]. The plant can be grown as an informal hedge[200], succeeding in windy sites[K]. Wood - light, soft, brittle, fine-grained[82, 227]. The wood weighs 35lb per cubic foot[227]. It is of no commercial value[229]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Bayberry species produce small flowers that attract pollinators such as bees, although they are not highly showy or fragrant.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – Bayberry produces waxy berries that are an important food source for birds, especially in winter. The dense shrubs provide shelter and cover for birds and other wildlife.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The dense growth of Bayberry shrubs can provide good overwintering sites for invertebrates, and their leaf litter can create habitats for ground-dwelling beneficial organisms.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Bayberry is not typically known for producing scents that confuse pests, though its aromatic leaves may have mild repellent properties.
Special Uses
Carbon Farming Food Forest Hedge Hedge Nitrogen Fixer Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Industrial Crop: Wax Management: Standard Wild-harvested and Sold
Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Screen, Seashore, Specimen. Prefers a moist soil[200]. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade[200]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil according to one report[11] whilst another says that it thrives in an acid soil[182]. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[1]. Plants can be evergreen in areas with warmer winters than in Britain[227]. Some reports say that the plant is dioecious whilst others say it is monoecious. It is most likely that both forms exist[82, K]. A polymorphic species[11], there are some named forms. 'Myda' is a large-fruited female form of low growth[182]. The fruit is covered with a deposit of wax that has a balsamic odour[245]. The fruits can hang on the plant for several years[213]. Closely related to M. pensylvanica, with which it hybridizes[43]. 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]. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Fragrant foliage, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant, Attracts butterflies, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 6. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown [1-2]. An evergreen. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2]. The fruit is usually harvested in late summer to early autumn, depending on the species and local climate.
Bayberry typically flowers in spring with the timing varying slightly by species and climate. Bayberry is a moderately fast-growing plant, often establishing itself quickly and reaching maturity within 3 to 5 years. Bayberry plants are typically dioecious, meaning that they have separate male and female plants. Therefore, they are not self-fertile and require both male and female plants for fruit production.
Carbon Farming
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Industrial Crop: Wax
Water resistant, malleable substances. Currently, most commercial wax is made from paraffin - a fossil fuel.
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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Wild-harvested and Sold
Some wild plants have strong historic or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[78]. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a cold frame[78]. Germination is usually good[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them 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 then plant out in late spring or early summer. Fair to good percentage[78]. Layering in spring[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Wax myrtle, Candle-berry,
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States, New Jersey (south), Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Mexico, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Yucatán, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Hispaniola, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica, United States, Puerto Rico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama (west), El Salvador,
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 :
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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