Morella cerifera
Photo by John Lampkin. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B
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Wax Myrtle
MYRICACEAE
Also known as Myrica cerifera
Plant Specifics
| Size: | 10-15 (20) ft tall by 8 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Fruit Color: | White,green | |
| Phenology: | Evergreen. Inconspicuous blooms in spring. Fruits ripen in late summer to early fall. | |
| Habitats: | Wet-dry sites. Upland mixed forest, floodplains, wetland edges, cutthroat seeps, old fields, scrub, fencerows |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Good as a background or hedge plant that also attracts wildlife. Rain gardens or bioswales. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| Moisture Tolerance: | Stays Wet ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | Humus (organic, upland), Loam, Lime rock, Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wildlife
Good wildlife cover.
Seeds eaten by birds.
Larval host for banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) and red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)butterflies.