Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Lampkin, Nature Coast FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

wax myrtle

Synonym(s):

Myrica cerifera

Genus species:

Morella cerifera

Family:

MYRICACEAE

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

10-15 (20) ft tall by 8 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

white,green

Phenology:

Evergreen. Inconspicuous blooms in spring. Fruits ripen in late summer to early fall.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Good as a background or hedge plant that also attracts wildlife. Rain gardens or bioswales.

Considerations:

It is flammable, so plant away from buildings in fire-prone areas. It fixes nitrogen with its roots like a legume, so it tolerates poor soils.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Dioecious (separate male and female plants).



Easily planted from seed or cuttings.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Acidic to circum-neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host for banded hairstreak ( Satyrium calanus ) and red-banded hairstreak ( Calycopis cecrops )butterflies.

Good wildlife cover.





Seeds eaten by birds. 

Native Habitats:

Wet-dry sites. Upland mixed forest, floodplains, wetland edges, cutthroat seeps, old fields, scrub, fencerows

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Interesting smell to the foliage.



Candles were sometimes made using the wax that covers the seeds.

General Comments:

There is a natural dwarf form that is associated with xeric uplands.  I makes a nice, low-growing shrub in casual gardens.