A native shrub producing waxy berries used historically for candle-making.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Myrica cerifera is an evergreen tree or large shrub native to North and Central America and the Caribbean. Its common names include southern wax myrtle, southern bayberry, candleberry, bayberry tree, and tallow shrub. It has uses in the garden and for candlemaking, as well as a medicinal plant.
Source: Wikipedia — Myrica cerifera Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Multi-stemmed shrub with aromatic lance-shaped evergreen leaves; small gray-waxy berries.
Similar species. Northern Bayberry (different range edge). Other Myrica species.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Native shrub of southeastern coastal areas. Berries waxy and used historically for candle-making.
§ Range
Southeastern US
§ Habitat
Coastal areas, wetlands
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the wax myrtle is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native wax myrtle.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Myrica cerifera
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Morella cerifera
- iNaturalist · taxon 52787
- IUCN Red List — search for Morella cerifera
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Morella cerifera
§ Sources cited
- USDA Plants Database
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
