Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: 6-20 feet tall.
Leaf Color: Green
Fruit Color: Bluish white

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , HI , LA , MD , MS , NJ , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to NJ, AR & s.e. OK
Native Habitat: Marshes; fresh to slightly brackish stream banks; swamps
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), PR(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy, slightly acidic soils.
Conditions Comments: Once established, this fast-growing, versatile plant tolerates poor drainage and drought. Essentially a shrub, it serves as an excellent screen plant. Crush the leaves for an appealing, piquant fragrance. There are standard and dwarf versions of this plant. Good for wetland gardens and habitat. Height and legginess can be maintained with a line trimmer or the shrub can be allowed to develop into an airy hedge. Both male and female plants are necessary for berries.
Texas comments: Wax myrtle is a fast-growing plant that tolerates poor drainage and drought. Essentially a shrub, it serves as an excellent screen plant. It is also good for wetland gardens. Height and legginess can be maintained with a line trimmer or the shrub can be allowed to develop into an airy hedge. Both male and female plants are necessary for berries. There are standard and dwarf versions of this plant.

Benefit

Fragrant Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Red-Banded Hairstreak
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Morella cerifera 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: Sow seed outdoors in the fall or stratify. Wax myrtle will root from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer. Root cuttings, 2-3 in. long., can be make in early winter.
Seed Collection: Collect fruit in September or October. Leave waxy coating on during storage, but remove it prior to sowing or stratification. Remove in a solution of 1 t. lye to 1 gal. water. Store seeds in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Stratify in moist peat 60-90 days at 34-41 degrees. Many seeds have a waxy coat that prevents water uptake and stratification. Soaking seeds in hot water or rubbing them vigorously against a rough surface will helf remove the wax.
Commercially Avail: yes

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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Ardisia elliptica (shoebutton)
   Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)
   Elaeagnus umbellata (autumn olive)
   Ligustrum amurense (Amur privet)
   Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese 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)
   Melia azedarach (Chinaberrytree)
   Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo)
   Scaevola sericea var. taccada (beach naupaka)

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I'm looking for evergreen plants (shrubs or ground cover)that will tolerate wet conditions for the zone 8 area of North Carolina. The local garden centers here do not stock these types of plants, even though much of the soil around here is prone to wetness from overflowing streams, lots of rain, topography, etc! Thank you.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Help, my oleanders are dying. I am in need of hedge suggestions- ideal would be quick growing, maybe 8-12 feet at their tallest. I live in Central Texas.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Looking to replace Red Tips with major leaf spot infections. Need about third replaced. What suggestions would you have to replace these privacy hedge row type plants? Need a plant that will grow at least 5 feet tall. The plants are provided with water by a drip sprinkler system. Thank You.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Hi.. I live in Southwest Austin and I am looking for a shrub that I can plant against the back of my house, which faces the north. I want something native, fairly low maintenance and not too large, as I would like them to be under the windows. I have several oaks in my backyard I get part-shade/part-sun. Thanks, Cindi
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I need advice on what tall evergreens I can plant along a fence line for privacy. I need trees that will be at minimum 8 to 10 feet tall at maturity, are aesthetically pleasing and provide privacy.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

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
Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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