Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Myricales>Myricaceae>Morella pensylvanica (Mirbel) Kartesz

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Northern Bayberry is a shrub of coastal sand dunes in northern Dare and Currituck counties, North Carolina. In NC, the species is restricted to dunes, but further north it occurs inland, ranging as far north as Newfoundland and as far west as Ontario.

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Detail of leaf underside, showing yellow resin glands.

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica) fruits

The fruits are covered with a white waxy coating, which can be used to make candles. the fruits are larger than those of Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera), which is much more common and widespread in North Carolina.

Currituck Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Where their ranges meet, Northern Bayberry may grow adjacent to Wax-Myrtle (in the photo at left, Wax-Myrtle is on the left, Northern Bayberry on the right).

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Bark of a young stem.

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Bark of a larger stem.

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

Northern Bayberry (Morella/Myrica pensylvanica)

Bark of a large stem.

Dare Co., NC 11/8/08.

More information:
Connecticut Botanical Society
USDA PLANTS database
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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