Myrica rubra

Myrica rubra is an evergreen tree in the bayberry family. Common names include Chinese bayberry, red bayberry, and yumberry. Some sources call the same species Morella rubra. Its native range spans southern China, temperate East Asia, and the Philippines. It grows in forests, on mountain slopes, and in valleys. It also grows near coasts in warm regions. People grow it for fruit in parts of Asia.

Garden trees reach about 15–30 feet [4.6–9.1 metres] in height. Oregon State rounds this range to 5–10 metres. Other sources report heights up to 49 feet [15 metres]. The plant can also take a shrub form. Its crown is rounded, and its leaves stay year-round. The leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. They are leathery, hairless, and narrow to broad near their tips. Their upper sides are dark green; the undersides are paler. Small golden glands mark the lower surface. Leaf edges may be smooth or toothed near the tip.

Small flowers grow in catkins at the leaf joints. Oregon State describes separate male and female plants. PFAF instead reports both flower sexes on one plant. Wind carries the pollen. Ripe fruit is round and dark red to purple-red. Each fruit is a drupe with a seed inside. Cultivated fruit can reach about an inch across. The flesh is juicy, with both sweet and sour notes. People eat it fresh or cooked. PFAF also reports that the seed is edible. Fruit spoils fast, which makes transport and sale harder.

Grow this tree in sun or light shade. It prefers moist soil that drains well. Sources describe tolerance of sand, loam, and clay. Lime-free loam or peat suits it well. PFAF lists mildly acid to neutral soil and USDA zones 9–11. Oregon State gives zone 9 as its lower limit. Other reports describe frost sensitivity, so cold tolerance remains uncertain. Plants can grow outdoors near Tokyo, yet fruiting there is difficult. PFAF suggests sheltered sites beside south- or west-facing walls.

The evergreen crown provides year-round structure in a garden. PFAF reports that the species can fix nitrogen. The plant also yields a yellow dye. Sources record traditional uses for bark, fruit, and seeds. These records do not establish safe or effective treatments. No species-specific toxicity reports appear in the supplied sources. They provide no clear account of pests or diseases.