Myrica, Wax berry, Candle berry
Morella cordifolia

Family: Myricaceae

What it is like

A spreading shrub. It sends out slender branches that lie along the ground. These have upright shoots that reach 2-3 m tall. The leaves are small and shiny. They are heart shaped and have teeth along the edge. They do not have stalks and overlap along the branches. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The male flowers are in dense catkin like clusters along the stem. The female flowers occur singly and are usually lower down. The fruit are purple blue berries 5-8 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in loose sand. It grows in coastal sand dunes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are edible.

Edible parts

Fruit - wax

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ilethi

Synonyms

Myrica cordifolia L.;