FNPS Plant Database

Morella cerifera

wax myrtle
  • 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:

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

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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

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

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.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Watkins, John, and Thomas Sheehan. (1975). Florida Landscape Plants, Native and Exotic. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Wunderlin, R. P, B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

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