Northern Bayberry

(Morella pensylvanica)

Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica)

Steven Bodzin

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Steven Bodzin

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Morella pensylvanica, commonly known as Northern Bayberry, is a semi-deciduous shrub native to coastal dunes, salt marshes, and pine barrens in the Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada, and parts of the Appalachian region. It typically grows to 4.5 meters tall with a dense, rounded form. The foliage is aromatic when crushed, and the small flowers, borne in catkins 3–18 mm long, are not particularly showy, with colors ranging from green to red. The fruit is a distinctive wrinkled berry, 3–5.5 mm in diameter, with a pale blue-purple waxy coating, which persists through winter and is an important food source for yellow-rumped warblers.

Northern Bayberry is valued for its adaptability to poor soils due to its nitrogen-fixing root nodules, and for the aromatic foliage and berries that can be used to make bayberry candles. It is often used in coastal landscapes, for erosion control, and as a wildlife-friendly planting. This species thrives in full sun to part shade and is tolerant of a range of soil moisture conditions, from medium to low water requirements, and various drainage types. It is also salt-tolerant, making it suitable for seaside gardens. However, it can spread aggressively by suckers, which may require management in a garden setting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
Height: 5-10 feet
Width: 5-10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Coastal dunes, salt marshes, and pine barrens

Other Names

Common Names: Candleberry, Small Waxberry, Swamp Candleberry, Tallow Bayberry, Tallow Shrub, Waxberry, Candle-Berry, Candletree, Candlewood, Tallowtree

Scientific Names: , Myrica pensylvanica, Morella pensylvanica, Cerothamnus pensylvanicus, Myrica macfarlanei, Myrica pensylvanica f. parvifolia, Morella macfarlanei, Myrica cerifera var. frutescens,

GBIF Accepted Name: Morella pensylvanica (Mirb.) Kartesz