Morella californica (California Wax Myrtle)


Botanical Information

FamilyMyricaceae
GenusMorella
Speciescalifornica
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginNative to coastal regions of California, Oregon and Washington State.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Historically, Morella californica's fruit was crushed and used to produce wax for candles. Dried fruit can be used to produce dyes of greyish-brown and maroon purple colour.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone7a - 10b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone8 - 10
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1a - H2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-18 - (-15)
Temperature (°F)0 - 5
Height3 - 10 m
Spread3 - 7 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June, July

Description and Growing Information

ShapeUpright, multi-stemmed and takes on a round or full shape.
LandscapeWindbreak, screen planting and hedges.
PropagationSeed, which are best sown just after ripening in autumn. Should be placed in trays or small containers and kept inside for the first winter. Hardwood cuttings are not successful, but terminal and sub-terminal cuttings can successful if they are kept indoors at a temperature of roughly 25ËšC and treated with a rooting hormone.
CultivationThrives in full sun and moist soils. Tolerant of partial shade, drought, and high salinity. Prefers slightly acidic soils with a minimum pH tolerance of 6.0.
PestsSusceptible to Phytophthora.
Notable Specimens
HabitatCoastal dunes, lower wetlands and moderate meadows.
Bark/Stem DescriptionGlabrous.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSmall, shiny and are covered with a waxy coating. Sometimes have hairs that point toward the stem.
Leaf DescriptionSimple, arranged alternately and range from complete to a mildly serrated shape. They reach 13 cm at their longest and about 3 cm wide. Each leaf has a dominant midrib and oppositely arranged vasculars.
Flower DescriptionFlowers appear in male, female and bisexual catkins all on the same branch arranged alternately above the leaves. Female catkins predominantly near the terminal bud. Catkins are about 3 cm long.
Fruit DescriptionGlobose drupe that spans only about 4 - 7 mm and forms in clumps as a result of several ovaries fusing together.
Colour DescriptionYoung shoots are green and a reddish-brown as it matures. The leaves are a dark green and paler towards the underside. Male catkins are a reddish-purple while the female are light green. The flowers are a reddish-purple and have a whitish-purple fruit.
Texture DescriptionCoarse texture.

Photographs