Myrica cerifera aka Wax Myrtle

Myrica cerifera is also called southern wax myrtle. It belongs to the bayberry family. Sources also use the name Morella cerifera. It is native to the southeastern United States and Mexico. Its range also includes Central America and the Caribbean. It grows in marshes, dunes, woods, and dry uplands. This fast-growing shrub can also form a small tree. Garden plants often reach 10–15 feet (3–4.6 metres) tall. They spread 8–10 feet (2.4–3 metres) wide. Some sources report heights of 35 feet (10.7 metres).

Several trunks and thick growth give it an uneven shape. Shoots from the roots can form broad groups of plants. The thin bark is smooth and pale gray-brown. Narrow, glossy leaves grow in turn along the stems. Their tips have teeth. Yellow resin glands dot the backs of the leaves. Crushed leaves give off a strong scent. The plant keeps its leaves in warm areas. Cold winters can cause browning and leaf loss.

Small flowers open from February through April. The timing depends on where the plant grows. The flowers lack petals and offer little show. Male flower clusters, called catkins, have a dull yellow-green tint. Male and female flowers mostly grow on separate plants. Wind carries the pollen. Good fruit crops tend to need plants of both sexes. Female plants bear small, round, gray-blue fruits called drupes. A coat of scented wax covers each fruit. Fruits appear from August through October. Birds eat them and spread the seeds. Thick leaf growth shelters birds in winter. The leaves also support the young of red-banded hairstreak butterflies.

Grow wax myrtle in sun or partial shade. Keep the soil moist while young plants take root. Older plants cope with both drought and wet ground. Acidic, sandy soil suits it, but it accepts poor soils. It fixes nitrogen, which helps it grow in poor soil. Sources place it in USDA zones 7–10. It copes with wind, salt spray, and deer browsing. Use it for screens, hedges, bank cover, or pond edges. Dense growth can crowd out pasture grass. Serious pests are rare. Still, anthracnose and leaf mosaic can occur. Its leaves and branches burn and pose a fire risk near homes.

People use fruit wax for candles, soap, and sealing wax. Leaves also supply dye. PFAF lists fruits as edible, but notes scant flesh and poor taste. It records leaves and berries as food seasonings. It also records dried leaves as a source of tea. These uses do not establish safety. High doses may cause vomiting. Wax compounds may also cause harm. PFAF warns against medicinal use during pregnancy. This warning also applies to people with kidney disease or high blood pressure.