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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