Practical
Plants

Myrica nagi

Box Myrtle

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Myrica genus in the family Myricaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Myrica
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
12 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, there is a report for some members of this genus that some of the constituents of the wax might be carcinogenic[9].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[6]. Sweet with a pleasant blend of acid, they are very pleasant eating[4]. About 13mm in diameter[5]. The fruit contains about 12.6% sugar, 1% protein, 0.4% ash[5]. Low in vitamin C, about 4.1mg per 100ml[5]. The fruit does not keep well, only lasting in good condition for 2 - 3 days after picking[5]. Yields from mature trees can be as high as 25kg per year, but are more often around 15.5kg[5].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is antirheumatic, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, ophthalmic and stimulant[2][3][5][10][12]. It has proved useful in the treatment of fevers, asthma and coughs[10]. The juice is applied to treat rheumatism[12]. Mixed with ginger, it is used as a rubefacient in the treatment of cholera[10]. The juice of the bark is taken internally in the treatment of catarrh and headaches, and is applied externally to cuts and wounds[12]. A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of fevers, asthma and diarrhoea[12]. This decoction is boiled to form a gelatinous mass that is applied as a poultice on sprains[12]. Combined with the bark of Quercus lanata, it is used as a decoction in the treatmnt of dysentery[12]. The juice of the unripe fruit is used as an anthelmintic[12].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Anthelmintic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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. Candles made from this wax are quite brittle but are less greasy in warm weather[8]. They are slightly aromatic and do not smoke when put out, making them much more pleasant to use that wax or tallow candles[8]. The wax is also used in making soaps[8]. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[2][12]. The plant is a source of tannin[2]. (Probably the bark or the leaves[K].) The bark is said to contain 60 - 80% tannin[12]. Wood - hard, close-grained. a good fuel[3]. Used mainly for fuel, though it is sometimes used for making poles for construction[12].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wax
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
Drier aspects to 1800 metres[2]. Open, mixed forests on mountain slopes at elevations of 300 - 2500 metres[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Barely cover the seed and keep it moist. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a cold frame. Germination is usually good[13]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow 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. Fair to good percentage[13]. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a frame. Layering in spring[7]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist soil. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade[7]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[1]. We are not sure how hardy this plant will be in Britain, it is unlikely to succeed outside the very mildest areas of the country. There is also some confusion between this species and M. rubra, it is possible that they are the same. The fruit is sold in local markets in the Himalayas[5]. It ripens over a fairly long period, so is not suitable for commercial cultivation[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. 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[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8

    ↩

  5. Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K. Wild Fruits of the Sub-Himalayan Region. Kalyani Publishers. New Delhi. 1982-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  10. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  12. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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