Waxberry, Lance-leaf waxberry
Myrica serrata

Family: Myricaceae

What it is like

A leafy bush. Sometimes it grows up to 6 m tall. The trunk is light pale grey with small raised dots across it. The young leaves can be a rich golden colour. The leaves are long and slender. They are 15 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are pointed at the tip and narrowed towards the base. Often they have teeth along the edge. The flowers are small and without petals. The flowers are crowded onto short spikes. The male and female flowers can occur on the same or on different plants. Flowers are pollinated by bees. The fruit are small and round. They are 5 mm across. They are bluish-black when ripe. They have a waxy coating.

There are about 50 Myrica species.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It grows naturally along stream banks, in forests, and on coastal flats. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten by some people.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ilethi, Maloleha, Murandela, Umlethi

Synonyms

Morella serrata (Lam.) Killick; Myrica natalensis C. DC.; Myrica mossii Burtt Davy; Myrica conifera auct. non N.L. Burm.;