Morella cerifera

Yellow-rumped warbler in wax myrtle © John Lampkin

Residential setting. © Shirley Denton

Wax Myrtle

Also known as Myrica cerifera

Recommended Uses:

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

Propagation:

Dioecious (separate male and female plants). Easily planted from seed or cuttings.

Availability:

Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales, Specialty providers

Light:

Full Sun, Part Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

always floodedextremely dry

(Stays Wet ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods)

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.

Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).

Soil or other substrate:

Humus (organic, upland), Loam, Lime rock, Sand

Soil pH:

Wildlife:

Good wildlife cover. Seeds eaten by birds.

Insects:

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

Native Habitats:

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

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

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.