Box myrtle, Bay berry
Myrica esculenta

Family: Myricaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows to 4-12 m high. The trunk is 40 cm across. The bark is grey. The trunk branches early and in usually not straight. The young branches are hairy. The leaves have stalks. The stalks are 0.3-2 cm long. They are hairy. The leaves are 3-15 cm long by 1-4.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped but broader near the base. They are dark green on top and paler underneath. There can be teeth along the edge towards the tip. The flowers are of one sex. The male flowering cluster is much branched and are erect but can hang over at the tip. They are 4-9 cm long. The female flowering stalks are erect and 1-3.5 cm long with many flowers. They are greenish or slightly red. The fruit is oval and red when ripe. They are edible.

There are about 50 Myrica species. Possibly now Morella.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1300-2100 m altitude. It grows in open places. In China it grows in open forests on mountain slopes between 300-2500 m altitude in S China. It grows in tropical evergreen forest. It is light demanding and slightly drought tolerant. It occurs between 100-1,500 m altitude in Vietnam. It grows in subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for a drink and desserts. It is also used in distilling. They are also pickled.

The fruit are sold in markets. The plant is occasionally cultivated. It is a popular fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In India fruit are available March to May.

Its other names

Local names

Aholick, Bol-sohlia, Chakchansi, Dau rurou, Dieng-soh-phie, Gelinchek, Jheremsi, Chenda si, Kafal, Kahela, Kahi, Kaidar yamu, Kaiphal, Kaphal, Kariphal, Kata-pho, Katphala, Kaya phala, Kei-fang, Keifang, Kesami, Keteng, Kharvusyu, Kirishivani, Kobusi, Lalisa, Lenketing, Mak ngam, Malay gale, Malu, Mao yang mei, Marudam, Maruta, Metiyong, Nagatenga, Namun, Noga tenga, Nonggang hei, Pezia, Saphai, Satsarila, Sizhanggleo, Soh-phi, Soh-phie-nam, Tatir, Telur chichak, Thanh mai

Synonyms

Morella esculenta (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) I. M. Turner; Myrica farquhariana Wall.; Myrica integrifolia Roxb.; Myrica lobbii Teijsm. & Binn.; Myrica missionis Wall.; Myrica nagi Hook.f. in part, non Thunb.; Myrica sapida Wall.;