Morella cerifera

wax myrtle

Myricaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

10-15 (20) ft tall by 8 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

Fruit Color:

white, green

Phenology:

Evergreen. Inconspicuous blooms in spring. Fruits ripen in late summer to early fall.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Good as a background or hedge plant that also attracts wildlife. Rain gardens or bioswales.

Considerations:

It is flammable, so plant away from buildings in fire-prone areas. It fixes nitrogen with its roots like a legume, so it tolerates poor soils.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Stays wet ---- to ---- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Lime Rock

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host for banded hairstreak ( Satyrium calanus ) and red-banded hairstreak ( Calycopis cecrops )butterflies.

Good wildlife cover.





Seeds eaten by birds. 

Native Habitats:

Wet-dry sites. Upland mixed forest, floodplains, wetland edges, cutthroat seeps, old fields, scrub, fencerows