Californian bayberry, California Wax Myrtle, Pacific Bayberry
Myrica californica

Family: Myricaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 8 m high. The trunk can be 30 cm across. It is evergreen. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are narrow and 5-10 cm long. They are bright green on the upper surface and have glands underneath. There are coarse teeth along the edge near the base. The leaves have a smell when bruised. The male and female flowers are in separate clusters on the same plant. The fruit are round. They are 4-6 mm across. The fruit is dark purple.

There are about 35-50 Myrica species. There are about 12 in tropical America. Many Myrica have now been moved to Morella, leaving only 2 Myrica.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Gale californica (Cham.) Greene; Morella californica (Cham. & Schlecht.) Wilbur;