Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: 6-30 feet tall, 10-20 feet wide.
Leaf Color: Dark Green
Fruit Color: Purple berries.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Coastal areas from c. CA to WA & Vancouver I., B.C.
Native Habitat: Canyons & moist slopes below 500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, slightly acid sands or loams.
Conditions Comments: This shrub tolerates beach wind.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Good for hedges.
Use Wildlife: Attracts Eastern Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Wood Thrush (Audubon At Home).
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Red-banded Hairstreak

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Morella californica is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: California wax myrtle can be increased by seeds, cuttings, or by layering.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Morella californica (California wax myrtle) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Ligustrum amurense (Amur privet)
   Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese privet)
   Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet)
   Ligustrum obtusifolium (border privet)
   Ligustrum ovalifolium (California privet)
   Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet)
   Ligustrum vulgare (European privet)

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: We live in Washington State up north by Canadian border. We need a hedge that will survive the constant rain. We have tried cedar. They seem to turn brown and die,one at a time so we keep replacing the dead ones. Need a better solution, the soil has clay a foot or two below surface. We need this for privacy and a little sound barrier wouldn't hurt. Prefer evergreen. Was even told to try bamboo, but its invasive, neighbors are noisy and a pain but wouldn't want to over take both yards with it.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Morella californica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Morella californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Morella californica