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Myrica rubra
  • Chinese Bayberry

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 10
    Zone 10
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Myrica rubra has 0 edible uses listed
Myrica rubra has 0 material uses listed
Myrica rubra has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[2][3]. Succulent and aromatic[4], it has an agreeable sub-acid taste[5]. Juicy, sweetish and sour according to another report[6]. The fruit soon rots so it is difficult to grow commercially because of the problems of getting it to market in good condition[6]. The fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[7]. The seed is said to be edible[8][9][5].

Fruit

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[6]. (The part of the plant is not specified).

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Astringent, carminative, vulnerary[6][10].

The stem bark is used as a wash in the treatment of arsenic poisoning, skin diseases, wounds and ulcers[11]. The fruit is carminative, pectoral and stomachic[11]. The seed is used in the treatment of sweaty feet[11].

The plant is used in the treatment of cholera, heart ailments and stomach diseases[11].

Unknown part

Astringent
Cardiac
Carminative
Pectoral
Skin
Stomachic
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[12]. 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[12]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Myrica rubra. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

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[13]. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[2].

Not very hardy in Britain, it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country according to one report[2], whilst another says that it only succeeds in zone 10 and does not tolerate frosts[7]. Plants succeed outdoors in Japan as far north as Tokyo, but it is difficult to get them to fruit there[6].. This plant has been recommended for improvement by selection and breeding for its edible fruit. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

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].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Myrica rubra. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Myrica rubra.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Myrica rubra
Genus
Myrica
Family
Myricaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[6][10][11]
Material uses & Functions
[6]
Botanic
[14][7][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
10
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    15 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious











    References

    1. ? Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.7 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    13. ? Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    14. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
    15. ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)


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    Facts about "Myrica rubra"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyMyricaceae +
    Belongs to genusMyrica +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has binomial nameMyrica rubra +
    Has common nameChinese Bayberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit + and Seed +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has hardiness zone10 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Cardiac +, Carminative +, Pectoral +, Skin +, Stomachic + and Vulnerary +
    Has search namemyrica rubra + and chinese bayberry +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameMyrica rubra +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra +, Myrica rubra + and Myrica rubra +