The Tree House Forest Product Information Sheet

No.98 BAYBERRY

COMMON NAME: BAYBERRY, WAX MYRTLE, CANDLEBERRY

GENUS & SPECIES: Myrica cerifera

FAMILY: MYRICACEAE

FAMILY RELATIONS: BOG MYRTLE

GENERAL: The bayberry is an evergreen tree that is native to the West Indies, Central America and eastern North America. It can reach a height of 10m and has oblong to lanceolate shaped leaves up to 7cm long. The flowers appear as scaly catkins and are followed by a grey waxy single seeded berry.

ECOLOGY: The bayberry tree is commonly found in the US in coniferous coastal forests or close to swamps and marshy land. All the same it prospers well on infertile sandy soil that is well drained.

CULINARY USES: None

MEDICINAL & OTHER USES: The root bark, berries and occasionally the leaves have in the past been used medicinally. All have astringent properties and can induce mild sweating and saliva production. They are therefore used in gargles and poultices in the treatment of sore throats and ulcers. They may also be used internally against diarrhoea and to ease cold and fever symptoms. The bark can be chewed to alleviate toothache. The wax from the berries used to be collected commercially in large quantities for the manufacture of candles, hence the alternative name.