FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Leaves only slightly aromatic when crushed; yellow, resinous dots only on undersides of leaves. Black or brown twigs.
Synonym(s): Cerothamnus caroliniensis, Myrica caroliniensis, Myrica heterophylla
Description: Medium-sized evergreen shrub to 2 m.
Leaves: Alternate, elliptic, oblanceolate or obovate leathery leaves with a few shallow teeth toward tips of thick leaves. Leaves can be wider than 2.5 cm. Yellow, resinous glands on the leaf underside only.
Flowers/Fruit: Male and female flowers borne on separate plants. Bluish or dark brown globose fruits may appear white from waxy covering. Blooms mainly in April; fruiting August to October.
Habit and Range: Pocosins, bay forests, wet pine savannas and flatwoods in the Coastal Plain; rarely in the Piedmont.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Morella caroliniensis (southern bayberry) is similar to the more abundant Morella cerifera (common wax myrtle) which can reach the height of a small tree. Morella caroliniensis has broader, thicker leaves with yellow waxy dots only on the leaf undersides. Leaves of Morella caroliniensis are thicker and usually wider than M. cerifera and much less aromatic.
Click here to view Morella cerifera.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
