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Myricaceae
Morella

not marked as a favorite taxon Morella pusilla (Rafinesque) Weakley & D.B. Poindexter. Common name: Dwarf Bayberry, Dwarf Wax-myrtle. Phenology: Mar-Apr; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Pine savannas, pine flatwoods, relatively moist to extremely dry sites in sandhills (such as under Quercus laevis and Q. geminata), typically over spodosols. Distribution: A Southeastern Coastal Plain endemic: se. Virginia south to s. Florida and west to e. Texas.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: Some authors dismiss the distinction between this taxon and Morella cerifera as merely environmental, while others treat the two as distinct at the varietal or specific level. In our area at least, they appear to be genetically distinct. They often occur in close proximity (though their typical habitats differ, they can be seen side by side in wet spodosolic pine savannas, sometimes also intermixed with Morella caroliniensis), and maintain their distinctiveness. There are some observations that there is a phenologic difference, with Morella pusilla peak flowering 3 weeks later than Morella cerifera (J. Townsend, pers. comm., 2002; Mohr 1901; Weakley 2018; Weakley & Poindexter 2023). The rhizomatous growth of Morella pusilla is not merely a fire response; we here maintain the two as distinct. See Weakley & Poindexter (2023) for discussion about taxonomic status, biology, and nomenclature.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Weakley & Poindexter (2023) in Weakley et al (2023); = Cerothamnus pumilus (Michx.) Small — S; = Morella pumila (Michx.) Small — K4, NSProv, S13, Va; = Myrica cerifera L. var. pumila Michx. — Chap, RAB, Elias (1971b); = Myrica pusilla Raf. — F, G, POWO, Tx; < Morella cerifera (L.) Small — K1, Herbert (2005), Wilbur (1994); < Myrica cerifera L. — C, Fl2, FNA3, GW2, WH3. Basionym: Myrica pusilla Raf. 1838

Links to other floras: < Myrica cerifera - FNA3

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Great Plains: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 7

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image #1 of Morella pusilla© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #2 of Morella pusilla© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #3 of Morella pusilla© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
image #4 of Morella pusilla© Richard LeBlond CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
image #5 of Morella pusilla© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image #6 of Morella pusilla© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
image #7 of Morella pusilla© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #8 of Morella pusilla© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image #9 of Morella pusilla© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image #10 of Morella pusilla© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #12 of Morella pusilla© Jay Horn source | Original Image ⭷
image #13 of Morella pusilla© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

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Height: 1-3 ft.

plant sale text: A tough and handsome evergreen shrub, Dwarf Wax-myrtle is commonly seen in coastal forests and swamps. This native species is related to Bayberry, and you may notice that its pleasantly aromatic foliage smells like bayberry candles. Dwarf Wax-myrtle is a great plant to include in your garden to provide cover for birds. Over time, Dwarf Wax-myrtle will spread by stolons creating a nice massing in your landscape. Its attractive pale grey bark provides year-round interest. The Piedmont is on the fringe of its coldest hardy zone so it may need extra protection during cold snaps and extreme winter conditions. Prune dead limbs in the spring to encourage a bushy habit.

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native range: coastal southeastern U.S.