Northern Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica

The northern bayberry is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub that grows 6 to 8 feet tall. It may also be semi-evergreen in warm southern winter climates The leaves are grayish-green to dark green, leathery, and glossy, and when crushed they are very aromatic. The undersides of the leaves have yellow resin glands. The flowers are yellowish-green catkins that are found on separate male and female plants and are not particularly showy. The female flowers, if pollinated, produce a small grayish-white drupe in late summer that persists until April. The drupes have a scented waxy coating that is used to make candles, soap, and sealing wax.

This shrub is native to North America and is found in eastern Canada and the eastern United States from Newfoundland to North Carolina. It is usually found in colonies or thickets bordering woods. In North Carolina this shrub is restricted to the coastal sand dunes in Dare and Currituck Counties. Further north this shrub is found inland in Ontario. Another coastal bayberry, Myrica heterophylla, is very similar but has smaller fruits and is found from New Jersey to Louisiana.

The genus, Myrica, originates from the Greek name myrike for tamarisk. The specific epithet, pensylvanica, means "of Pennsylvania." It is a member of the Myricaceae family.

The northern bayberry prefers to grow in full sun, and moist, peat, or sandy, acidic soils. It is adaptable and tolerates different soil conditions. This shrub has drought, erosion, high winds, salt spray, poor soils, and wet site tolerance. In optimum conditions, this shrub suckers easily and forms colonies. The shrub can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth.

This plant needs at least one male per grouping for pollination. It also has a symbiotic relationship with actinobacterium which fixes atmospheric nitrogen.  

The northern bayberry is best planted in groups or mass plantings as a border, screen, or hedge. It may be used in woodland gardens or on slopes/banks to help control erosion. It may also be used along the highways that require salting during the winter months since the shrub is salt spray tolerant. It is a very versatile shrub.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Spring    Foliage: Spring and Summer          Fruits: Late Summer to Spring

Quick ID Hints:

• deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub, 4 to 8 feet tall, dense, rounded
• obovate to oblong grayish-green to dark green leaves with a fragrance of bay when crushed
• non-showy male and female catkins on separate shrubs
• fragrant, small, grayish-white drupes with a waxing coating

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The northern bayberry has no serious insect or disease problems.

Compare this Plant to M. cerifera, M. heterophylla

VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University.