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Myrica californica - Cham.

Monarch Lawn
Common Name Californian Bayberry & Landscape
Landscape
Design &
Family Myricaceae
Installation
Patio, Walkway,
Synonyms Walls, Planting
www.m onarchlawn

TedCollins
Although no reports of
toxicity have been seen for this Tree&Landscape
species, there is a report for Rochester's
Known Hazards Premier
some members of this genus
that some of the constituents of Tree&Landscape
the wax might be Company -
carcinogenic[222]. Celebrating Our
53rd Year
www.te dcollinst-l.c
Ocean sand dunes and moist
hill sides near the coast[60],
Habitats usually on acid soils[1] and Native Trees
tolerating poorly drained and Shrubs
soils[229]. Reserve for
Spring or Fall
http://c ommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:M
South-western N. America - urderbike
delivery 100+
Range Washington to California. species shipped
to your door
www.C oldStre am F

Edibility Rating Shrink Wrap

Service
On-Site Shrink
Wrap Svc:
Medicinal Rating Industrial
Commercial,
Construction,
Care Transport
www.Ne wEnglandS

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Myrica californica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in) at a medium www.flic kr.c om/photos/23326361@N04
rate.
It is hardy to zone 7. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen
from Sep to October. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either
male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are
pollinated by Wind.It can fix Nitrogen.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers
well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid
soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

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Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit.
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[105, 177]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter with a large seed[200]. There is very little edible flesh and the flavour of this is poor[200, K].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsib ility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional b efore using a plant
medicinally.

Stomachic.

The bark and root bark is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and infections[238].

Other Uses
Dye; Wax; Wood.

A wax covering on the fruit is extracted by scalding the fruit with boiling water and immersing them for a few minutes, the wax floats to the surface and is then
skimmed off. The fruit is then boiled in water to extract the wax from the pulp and once more the wax is skimmed off. It is then strained through a muslin cloth and can
be used to make aromatic candles[106, 245]. Candles made from this wax are quite brittle but are less greasy in warm weather[213]. They are slightly aromatic and
do not smoke when put out, making them much more pleasant to use that wax or tallow candles[213]. The wax is also used in making soaps[213]. To date (07/12/95)
plants growing on our Cornish trial grounds have fruited freely but have not produced much wax. They produced somewhat more after the hot summer of 1995, but
there was still not enough to make extraction worthwhile[K]. A grey-brown and a maroon-purple dye are obtained from the fresh or dried berries[168]. Wood - heavy,
very hard, strong, brittle, close grained[82].

Cultivation details
Prefers a moist soil[200]. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade[200]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil according to one
report[11] whilst another says that it thrives in an acid soil[182]. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[1]. Plants can be cut back to the ground in severe winters in
many parts of Britain[1, 11], but they are well suited to the milder parts of the country[11, 59] where they are fast-growing and produce fruit within 5 years from seed[K].
They succeed and fruit well on a south facing wall at Kew[K]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. The fruit is covered with a deposit of wax
that has a balsamic odour[245]. Many species in this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the
plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[78]. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a
cold frame[78]. Germination is usually good[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame
for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up and overwinter in a cold
frame then plant out in late spring or early summer. Fair to good percentage[78]. Layering in spring[200].

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Expert comment

Author
Cham.

Botanical References
1160200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[59]Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.
Trees and shrubs that succeed in Cornwall based on the authors own observations. Good but rather dated.
[60]Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[82]Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America.
Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the
casual reader.
[105]Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World.
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little
dubious. Not for the casual reader.
[106]Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants.
Interesting reading but short on detail.
[168]Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants.
A very good and readable book on dyeing.

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[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
[182]Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[213]Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food.
A nice book to read though it is difficult to look up individual plants since the book is divided into separate sections dealing with the different medicinal uses plus
a section on edible plants. Common names are used instead of botanical.
[229]Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History.
A very good concise guide. Gives habitats, good descriptions, maps showing distribution and a few of the uses. It also includes the many shrubs that
occasionally reach tree proportions.
[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main
quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Jim Hicks Wed May 19 18:01:11 2004
What is an ocean myrtle? In Brunswick, GA directly adjacent to the easternmost blvd and facing the Marshes of Glynn is a tree dad called an ocean myrtle. It has
leaves like the California Wax Myrtle and has strong spreading limbs and can be climbed in by a small child. The underside of the leaves, as I remember, have
little bumps. I used to think those bumps were where aphids lived. The odor of the tree was sweet just standing near it. It looked bent away from the Atlantic
ocean direction and was tousled and windswept permanently. I have no idea where he got it. He planted it around 1939./ I live now 287 miles from the old home
place and can't get there for more details.

Elizabeth H.
Joel Tue Aug 25 2009
I've heard the Bayberry is a close relative, and might be more common near that Georgia home in the previous comment. It could be that there were scale
insects living on the tree.

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