Myrica pensylvanica
Northern Bayberry
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Myrica genus in the family Myricaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Myricaceae
- Genus
- Myrica
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- 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.
There is a report that some of the constituents of the wax might be carcinogenic[10].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is about 4mm in diameter and contains a single large seed[8]. There is very little edible flesh and this is of poor quality[K]. The leaves and fruit are used as a food flavouring in soups etc[14][2][7]. A bay leaf substitute, imparting a delicate aroma and subtle flavour[7]. The herb is removed before the food is served[7].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- 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 root bark is astringent and emetic in large doses[10]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and externally as a wash for itchy skin[10].
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[13][3][5]. Candles made from this wax are quite brittle but are less greasy in warm weather[9]. They are slightly aromatic, with a pleasant balsamic odour[11], and do not smoke when put out, making them much more pleasant to use that wax or tallow candles[9]. The wax is also used in making soaps[9]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[3]. The plant is very wind hardy and can be grown as an informal hedge[8].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Wax
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America. Possibly naturalized in Britain in the New Forest.
- Habitat
- Dry or wet sterile soil near the coast[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 2+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
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[15]. 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[15]. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a frame. Layering in spring[8]. 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[8]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil[4]. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[1]. Does well in dry maritime sites[8]. Hardy to about -40°c[8]. Closely related to M. cerifera and perhaps no more than a hardier northern form of it[4], it has larger fruits than M. cerifera[6]. The two species hybridize in the wild where their ranges overlap[12]. Tolerant of salt spread on roads[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8]. 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[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4
Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00