Northern Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica
- Phonetic Spelling
- MIR-i-ka pen-sill-VAN-ee-ka
- Description
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A deciduous shrub native to portions of eastern US in the Myricaceae family. Drought, erosion, salt spray, and wet site tolerant. Suckers easily and forms colonies. Needs at least 1 male per grouping for pollination. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
Compare this Plant to: M. cerifera, M. heterophylla
- 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:
- pensylvanica
- Family:
- Myricaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Wax is used to make bayberry candles, soaps and ceiling wax.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada to Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Eastern North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Small, grey, waxy-coated showy round drupe that persists into winter
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Non-showy flowers; male and female plants
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lustrous, dark green leaves with a leathery texture
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Wet Soil
