California Wax Myrtle

Morella californica (Cham.) Wilbur - Bayberry family

Size

Mature Height: Up to around 33.0 feet

Planting Distance: 5.0 feet

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub

Root Depth: 20 inches

Growth Form: Multiple Stem

Growth Rate: Moderate

Features

Flower Color: Yellow

Conspicuous Flowers: No

Bloom Time: Early Summer

Seasonal Growth: Spring and Summer

Evergreen: Yes

Fall Colors: Yes

Conditions

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Clay Soil Tolerance: No

Sandy Soil Tolerance: Yes

Drought Tolerance: Low

Flood Tolerance: Low

Fire Tolerance: Low

Salt Tolerance: High

Ecosystem Interactions

Pollinators: Larval Host (Butterfly); Larval Host (Moth); Wind

Larval Species depending on California Wax Myrtle: Cingilia catenaria, Lithacodes fasciola, Megalopyge crispata, Nemoria darwiniata, Nemoria rubrolinearia, Neoalcis californiaria, Olethreutes sericoranum, Parasa indetermina, Schizura concinna, Thorybes ephemeraeformis, Xestia mustelina

Native Range

  • CAN:  British Columbia
  • USA:  California, Oregon, Washington
Regional Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

State-level native status is based on data available through Plants of the World Online. Regional Native Status comes from the USDA Plants Database. For more detailed native status information, please refer to BONAP.