Bayberry Southern Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera, commonly known as southern wax myrtle or southern bayberry, is a large, irregularly-shaped, dense-branching, nitrogen-fixing, suckering, fast-growing, evergreen shrub (semi-evergreen in colder northern parts of the growing area) that typically grows to 10-15’ tall and 8-10’ wide, but occasionally reaches a tree-like height of 20’ tall or more. It can be found in wetlands, river margins, sand dunes, and pine barrens.

• Fragrant waxy leaves yielding gray/white fruit
• Naturally grows near rivers and streams and other wet areas. Can be used for erosion control.
• It is a host plant for the Red-Banded Hairstreak butterfly.
• Flowers provide an excellent source of nectar for honeybees and butterflies.
• The fruits are eaten by birds, especially yellow-rumped warbler.
• Highly salt and wind tolerant
• Highly resistant to deer damage
• Tolerant of rabbit, drought, shade, poor soil and wet soil
• Native, coastal