Swamp Bayberry Myrica caroliniensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Myrica heterophylla
- Phonetic Spelling
- MEE-ree-kah kair-oh-lin-ee-EN-sis
- Description
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Bayberry is a native evergreen shrub or small tree in the Myricaceae (myrtle) family found growing in the coastal plain regions of North America.
It grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 9 feet wide with dark green leaves. Leaves are wider than on M. cerifera and not as fragrant. The bark is thin, smooth, and gray-brown. In spring, small male and female flowers appaer on separate shrubs. Waxy round bluish-white fruits that mature on female plants in clusters on short stalks. Propagate by seed from the female plants or allow the rhizomatous stems form colonies.
This woody understory shrub performs well in the elusive dry shade as well as wetland conditions and makes an excellent addition to a wildlife garden as it provides food and cover for birds along with being a butterfly host plant. Prune it into a small tree and use near a patio or pond planting or in shrub form use it as a screen or hedge plant. When pruning, keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- 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
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The waxy coating on the fruits has been used in candle making.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Small green to blue-white to grey dry waxy globose fruit that does not split open. Fruits are on female plants only and appear from late summer to early fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Small male and female slim cylindrical flowers appear late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Waxy, leathery, simple alternate dark green leaves with toothed margins. Blades are 1-3 inches long and 1/4- 1 inch wide and have resinous glands on the underside.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- White
- Bark Description:
- Thin, smooth and white to gray/brown.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Three or more scales overlap like shingles, hairy stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Wet Soil
