Evergreen bayberry
Myrica heterophylla

Family: Myricaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can have underground stems and form colonies. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and 3-12 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. Plants are separately male and female. The fruit is round to oval and 3-5 mm across.

There are about 50 Myrica species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows near streams and lakes.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves and small fruit are used to flavour soups and other foods.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants flower in early spring and fruit in early autumn.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cerothamnus carolinensis (Mill.) Tidestr.; Morella caroliniensis (Mill.) Small; Myrica cerifera var. latifolia Aiton; Myrica curtissii A. Chev.; Myrica curtissii var. media A. Chev.; Myrica heterophylla var. curtissii (A. Chev.) Fernald; Myrica heterophylla var. heterophylla; Myrica sessilifolia Raf.; Myrica sessilifolia var. latifolia (Aiton) Raf.;