Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera (L.) Small - Bayberry family
Size
Mature Height: Up to around 10.0 feet
Planting Distance: 5.0 feet
Plant Type: Tree, Subshrub, Shrub
Root Depth: 20 inches
Growth Form: Rhizomatous
Growth Rate: Moderate
Features
Flower Color: White
Conspicuous Flowers: No
Bloom Time: Spring
Seasonal Growth: Spring and Summer
Evergreen: Yes
Fall Colors: No
Conditions
Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
Clay Soil Tolerance: Yes
Sandy Soil Tolerance: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Flood Tolerance: Medium
Fire Tolerance: Low
Salt Tolerance: Medium
Ecosystem Interactions
Pollinators: Native Bees; Larval Host (Butterfly); Larval Host (Moth); Wind
Larval Species depending on Wax Myrtle: Acrobasis cirroferella, Alarodia slossoniae, Antheraea polyphemus polyphemus, Apatelodes torrefacta, Automeris io io, Caloptilia flavella, Calycopis cecrops, Cameraria obstrictella, Catocala badia, Catocala muliercula, Eacles imperialis, Hyalophora cecropia, Isa textula, Nemoria rubrolinearia, Phrudocentra centrifugaria, Rheumaptera hastata, Schizura apicalis, Schizura concinna, Sphinx gordius, Stigmella myricafoliella, Strepsicrates smithiana, Synanthedon scitula
Native Range
- USA: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia
- MEX: Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest
- USA+: Puerto Rico
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.