SOUTHERN BAYBERRY; WAX MYRTLE (Morella cerifera)
WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SOUTHERN BAYBERRY; WAX MYRTLE (Morella cerifera)
syn. Myrica cerifera
This photo is of a male.
This shrub is a Dioecious plant, meaning that male and female reproductive structures are found on different plants, so you need at least two (one of each type) to have fruit production. This is one of the more beneficial plants to wildlife. The berries feed numerous species including bobwhites and wild turkey. It is a host plant for countless moth caterpillars. Cover and nesting site for many species as well. A.K.A. Morella cerifera
Learn: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/morcer/all.html
Learn more: https://web.archive.org/web/20170630100034/http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/wax_myrtle.pdf
Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3942
Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Morella+cerifera
following photo is of a female
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