Morella pensylvanica
Credits
New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.
Recommended citation
'Morella pensylvanica' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Common Names
- Bayberry
Synonyms
- Myrica carolinensis of some authors, not Mill.
- Myrica pensylvanica Mirb.
Editorial Note
Treated by Bean under Myrica. One of the synonyms cited by Bean, Myrica cerifera var. latifolia Aiton, refers to Morella caroliniensis (Mill.) Small.
This species is closely allied to M. cerifera and perhaps a more northerly form of it. It reaches into Canada, and extends in the wild from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island south to Florida, etc. It differs in its leaves being more often oblong and oval than obovate, more abruptly tapered at the base, and blunter at the apex than in M. cerifera; downy above. Young wood downy. The fruits are coated with white wax, as in the other, but are somewhat larger (1⁄6 in. wide). This species is always shrubby and up to 8 or 9 ft high. It is, no doubt, hardier than the true cerifera and probably is grown under that name in many gardens. It is reported to be naturalised in the New Forest.
