California Bayberry Myrica californica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Morella californica
- Phonetic Spelling
- MEE-ree-kah ka-li-FOR-ni-kah
- Description
-
Pacific wax myrtle is an ornamental broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree in the Myricaceae (myrtle) family. It is native to the Pacific Coast and coastal valleys of North America from Vancouver Island down to southern California. It grows best near the coast, close to streams, or on dunes. The origin of the genus name, Myrica, is from the Greek name Tamarix. The species name, californica, means "of California."
With its dense upright habit and glossy leaves it grows to a height and width of 10 to 30 feet. The leaves are about 4 inches long, narrow, and glossy green with black dots. The fruits appear in the fall and are small waxy purple to black drupes that attract birds. The tiny flowers appear in the spring and are insignificant.
The Pacific wax myrtle prefers full sun to partial shade and even grows in the elusive dry shade. The roots of the plant have nodules that contain nitrogen-fixing microorganisms; therefore, the shrub is poor soil tolerant. It may be grown in sandy, loamy, or clay soils with an acid or neutral pH. The plant tolerates pruning and shearing, keeping in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth. The shrub may be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or layering. Layering is the fastest method.
The Pacific Wax Myrtle is said to be the best native shrub for screening on the Pacific Coast. It may be trimmed as a hedge. This shrub is ideal for coastal planting because it is salt spray tolerant as well as poor soil tolerant. It will also provide bank stabilization. This ornamental shrub with showy berries and glossy green foliage makes an attractive plant as a specimen, informal screen, or background interest in the garden.
Seasons of Interest:
Foliage: Year-round Fruits: Fall
Quick ID Hints:
- dense, bushy, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree, 10 to 30 feet tall and wide
- the leaves are glossy, dark green upper surface, paler green undersides with black dots, 4-inches long, and lanceolate
- insignificant yellow-greenish flowers in the spring
- small warty or bumpy drupes that are initially green that turn purple to black with a white waxy coating and grow in small, tight clusters
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Pacific wax myrtle has no serious insects or disease issues. It may be susceptible to scales. thrips, spider mites, and whiteflies. Potential diseases include leaf spots, blight anthracnose, limb rot, or trunk rot.
VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Myrica
- Species:
- californica
- Family:
- Myricaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwestern Canada to Western California
- Distribution:
- Native: British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington
- Wildlife Value:
- The fruit attracts many birds such as kingbirds, mockingbirds, flickers, and woodpeckers. They also host butterflies and moths.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are small, warty, round, and initially green drupes that transition from purple to black with a white waxy coating. They are 1/16-inch in diameter and appear in small, tight clusters. Each drupe contains one seed. The drupes are present from September to October. Birds are attracted to the fruits.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers bloom from May to June. There are separate male and female catkins that appear on the leaf axils. They measure 0.5 to 1-inch long.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 4 inches long, 0.5 to 0.75 inches wide, and lanceolate. In the spring, the leaves are a smooth and shiny green but during the summer they are a darker green. The undersides of the leaves are a lighter green and have tiny black spots. The margins are toothed. Clusters of the leaves are found at the ends of the branches.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- White
- Surface/Attachment:
- Patchy
- Bark Description:
- The bark is thin and gray to brown. The bark often has white patches.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Young stems are dark green, hairy, and slightly ridged. Older stems are brown to gray and rounded.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Salt