SCIENTIFIC NAME: Myrica cerifera

COMMON NAME: southern wax myrtle, bayberry

FLOWERS:

GROWTH HABIT: Shrub that grows from 6' to 10' tall and wide. Can limb up.

LEAVES: Tapers to the base and is widest above the middle. Grows up to 5" long and 1/2" wide. Has entire or serrated margins and is light green in color. Has glands underneath (yellow dots). Crushed leaf has a pleasant odor.

OTHER: Native to low, moist sites, but will tolerate drought. Likes acid soils and full sun to part shade. There are lenticels on the twigs. Used a lot in mall parking lots. Has small, purple fruit in fall. Wax from fruit used to make bayberry candles. Hardy from zone 7-9. A member of the Myricaceae family. Easy to transplant. Recent hurricanes suggest that this species has some susceptibility to wind damage. Many shopping malls have used this species in their roadway medians.