Myrica caroliniensis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Myrica heterophylla
- Phonetic Spelling
- mur-EYE-kuh kair-oh-lin-ee-EN-sis
- Description
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Bayberry is an evergreen shrub that may grow 6 to 8 feet tall. The leaves are alternate with a toothed margin and aromatic odor. Leaves are wider than on M. cerifera. The bark is thin, smooth, and gray-brown. In spring, small male and female slim, cylindrical flowers mature. The small tree produces a bluish-white drupe that matures in clusters on short stalks. Only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Compare this Plant to: M. cerifera, M. pensylvanica
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Myrica
- Species:
- caroliniensis
- Family:
- Myricaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Pennsylvania to Eastern Texas
- Distribution:
- Primarily in coastal plains of SE US
- Wildlife Value:
- It provides excellent winter and extreme weather coverage. It is a host plant for the Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly. Its fruits are eaten by birds, especially yellow-rumped warblers (which are very efficient at digesting the waxy fruits), in the fall and winter.
- Edibility:
- Leaves can be used like bay leaves to flavor soups, stews, etc.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Small white to grey globose fruit.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Small male and female slim cylindrical flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- glossy dark green leaves
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Thin, smooth and gray/brown.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Wet Soil
