Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −45.6 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a moist soil. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Hardy to about -40°c. Tolerant of salt spread on roads. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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.

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. 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. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a frame. Layering in spring. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is about 4mm in diameter and contains a single large seed. There is very little edible flesh and this is of poor quality[K]. The leaves and fruit are used as a food flavouring in soups etc.

Medicinal uses

The root bark is astringent and emetic in large doses. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and externally as a wash for itchy skin.

Material uses

A wax covering on the fruit is extracted by scalding the fruit with boiling water and immersing them for a few minutes, the wax floats to the surface and is then skimmed off. The fruit is then boiled in water to extract the wax from the pulp and once more the wax is skimmed off. It is then strained through a muslin cloth and can be used to make aromatic candles. A green dye is obtained from the leaves. The plant is very wind hardy and can be grown as an informal hedge.

Habitat

Dry or wet sterile soil near the coast.

Native range

Eastern N. America. Possibly naturalized in Britain in the New Forest.

Scientific synonyms Morella pensylvanica