| Southern Bayberry is a shrub of wetlands, similar to the abundant Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera), but with broader, thicker leaves. Like Wax Myrtle, the leaves are evergreen, with yellow glands on the undersides, but unlike Wax Myrtle the leaves are not very fragrant when crushed and the yellow glands are mainly found only on the leaf undersides, not on both surfaces. Craven Co., NC 8/31/08.
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| Ripening fruits. Craven Co., NC 8/31/08.
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| Other common names include Pocosin Bayberry (from its preferred habitat) and Evergreen Bayberry (the Northern Bayberry, Morella pensylvanica is tardily deciduous). Confusingly, Morella cerifera is also sometimes called Southern Bayberry. Other differences from Northern Bayberry include leaf size (smaller in Northern) fruit size (larger in Northern), twig hairiness (usually smooth in Northern, hairy in Southern), and location and habitat (Northern occurs from Dare County north, mainly in dunes). The shrub at left has staminate (male) catkins. Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.
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| Common in the Coastal Plain, Southern Bayberry is rare in the Piedmont (this photo was taken in the Piedmont near the Fall Line) Until recently, Morella caroliniensis was more commonly known as Myrica heterophylla. Raven Rock State Park, Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.
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| Vigorous young growth. Scotland Co., NC 6/6/03.
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| Same plant, showing last year's leaves and flowering structures. Scotland Co., NC 6/6/03.
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| These are pistillate (female) catkins. Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.
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More information:
Wetland Plants of the Carolinas
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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