Myrica

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}} {{For-multi|the flat panel TVs|Fujitsu Siemens Computers|the historical city in Asia Minor|Myrika|the mythological figure|Myrice (mythology)}}

{{Automatic taxobox |image = Gagelstrauch(Myrica gale)female.JPG |image_caption = Female ''Myrica gale'' plant |taxon = Myrica |authority = L.<ref name="GRIN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?7912 |title=Genus: ''Myrica'' L. |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |date=2006-12-14 |access-date=2010-10-31}}</ref> |type_species = ''Myrica gale'' |type_species_authority = L. |subdivision_ranks = Species |subdivision = See text |synonyms = *''Angeia'' Tidestr. *''Cerophora'' Raf. *''Cerothamnus'' Tidestr. *''Faya'' Webb & Berthel. *''Fayana'' Raf. *''Gale'' Duhamel *''Morella'' Lour. *''Pimecaria'' Raf. |synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30023028-2#synonyms |title=''Myrica'' L. |author= |date=2017 |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date=9 July 2020 }}</ref> }}

'''''Myrica''''' {{IPAc-en|m|ɪ|ˈ|r|aɪ|k|ə}}<ref>''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607</ref> is a genus of about 35–50 species of small trees and shrubs in the family Myricaceae, order Fagales. The genus has a wide distribution, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, and missing only from Antarctica and Oceania. Some botanists split the genus into two genera on the basis of the catkin and fruit structure, restricting ''Myrica'' to a few species, and treating the others in ''Morella''.<ref name="huguet2005">Valérie Huguet, Manolo Gouy, Philippe Normand, Jeff F. Zimpfer, and Maria P. Fernandez. 2005. "Molecular phylogeny of Myricaceae: a reexamination of host-symbiont specificity". ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' '''34'''(3):557–568. {{doi|10.1016/j.ympev.2004.11.018}}</ref>

Common names include '''bayberry''', '''bay-rum tree''', '''candleberry''', '''sweet gale''', and '''wax-myrtle'''. The generic name was derived from the Greek word μυρίκη (''myrike''), meaning "fragrance".<ref name="Gledhill">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NJ6PyhVuecwC |title=The Names of Plants |first=D. |last=Gledhill |edition=4 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-86645-3 |year=2008 |page=267}}</ref><ref>Μυρίκη was also the Greek name for ''Tamarix'' species.</ref>

==Characteristics== [[File:Myrica faya fruit.jpg|left|thumb|''Myrica faya'' fruit]]

The species vary from {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}} shrubs up to {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}} trees; some are deciduous, but the majority of species are evergreen. The roots have nitrogen-fixing bacteria which enable the plants to grow on soils that are very poor in nitrogen content. The leaves are spirally arranged, simple, {{convert|2|–|12|cm|abbr=on|frac=16}} long, oblanceolate with a tapered base and broader tip, and a crinkled or finely toothed margin. The flowers are catkins, with male and female catkins usually on separate plants (dioecious). The fruit is a small drupe, usually with a wax coating.

The type species, ''Myrica gale'', is holarctic in distribution, growing in acidic peat bogs throughout the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere; it is a deciduous shrub growing to 1{{spaces}}m tall. The remaining species all have relatively small ranges, and are mostly warm-temperate.

''Myrica faya'' (''Morella faya''), native to the volcanic islands of the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, has become an invasive species on the Hawaiian volcanoes<ref name="WHS1999">Warren L. Wagner, Derral R. Herbst, and Sy H. Sohmer. ''Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii'', Revised Edition, 1999. Bishop Museum Press: Hololulu.</ref> where it was introduced in the 19th century; its ability to fix nitrogen makes it very well adapted to growing on low-nitrogen volcanic soils.

The wax coating on the fruit is indigestible for most birds, but a few species have adapted to be able to eat it, notably the yellow-rumped warbler and tree swallow in North America. As the wax is very energy-rich, this enables the yellow-rumped warbler to winter farther north in cooler climates than any other American warbler if bayberries are present. The seeds are then dispersed in the droppings of the birds.

''Myrica'' species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including brown-tail, emperor moth, and winter moth as well as the bucculatricid leaf-miners ''Bucculatrix cidarella'', ''B. myricae'' (feeds exclusively on ''M. gale'') and ''B. paroptila'' and the ''Coleophora'' case-bearers ''C. comptoniella'', ''C. pruniella'', and ''C. viminetella''.

==Uses== Native Americans used bayberry medicinally. The root bark was pounded into powder and mixed with water to cure diarrhea. American pioneers sniffed the powder to counter nasal congestion. It was sometimes used in poultices.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Angier|first=Bradford|url=https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetoedib00angi/page/30/mode/2up|title=Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=1974|isbn=0-8117-0616-8|location=Harrisburg, PA|pages=30|oclc=799792|author-link=Bradford Angier}}</ref>

The wax coating on the fruit of several species, known as bayberry wax, has been used traditionally to make candles. It was used for that purpose by the Robinson family in the novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Swiss Family Robinson: "One of the most popular novels of all time - Jane Austen articles and blog |url=https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/authors-artists-vagrants/the-swiss-family-robinson-one-of-the-most-popular-novels-of-all-time |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=janeausten.co.uk|date=17 June 2015 }}</ref> During the Colonial Revival Movement (which peaked between 1880 and 1940), an enduring tradition began of burning bayberry wax candles during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve for luck, health, abundance, love, and joy. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Bayberry Candles. History + Origins of the Christmas Tradition |url=https://newenglandinnkeeper.com/bayberry-candles-history-origins-of-the-christmas-tradition/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=newenglandinnkeeper.com|date=17 January 2025 }}</ref>

The foliage of ''Myrica gale'' is a traditional insect repellent, used by campers to keep biting insects out of tents. Several species are also grown as ornamental plants in gardens. The fruit of ''Myrica rubra'' is an economically important crop in China, sold fresh, dried, canned, for juice, for flavoring in snacks, and for alcoholic beverages. Myrica is used to spice beer and snaps in Denmark.

The leaves can add flavor to soups and broths. They can be dried and stored in jars to be used as a spice.<ref name=":0" />

==Species== ''Myrica'' comprises the following species:<ref name="GRINSpecies">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?7912 |title=GRIN Species Records of ''Myrica'' |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |access-date=2010-10-31}}</ref><ref name="PlantList1">{{cite web |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Myricaceae/Myrica/ |title=The Plant List entry for ''Myrica'' |date=September 2013 |website=The Plant List, v.1.1 |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanical Garden |access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="PlantList2">{{cite web |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Myricaceae/Morella/ |title=The Plant List entry for ''Morella'' |date=September 2013 |website=The Plant List, v.1.1 |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanical Garden |access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="POWO">{{cite web |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30023028-2 |author=Govaerts R |website=Plants of the World Online |title=''Myrica'' L. |publisher=Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=350px}} *''Myrica adenophora'' Hance *''Myrica arborea'' Hutch. *''Myrica brevifolia'' E.Mey. ex C.DC. – dwarf waxberry *''Myrica cacuminis'' Britton & P.Wilson *''Myrica californica'' Cham. – California bayberry *''Myrica caroliniensis'' Mill. – southern bayberry *''Myrica cerifera'' L. – wax-myrtle, southern wax-myrtle *''Myrica chevalieri'' (Parra-Os.) Christenh. & Byng *''Myrica chimanimaniana'' (Verdc. & Polhill) Christenh. & Byng *''Myrica cordifolia'' L. – dune waxberry *''Myrica dentulata'' Baill. *''Myrica esculenta'' Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don *''Myrica faya'' Aiton – faya bayberry *''Myrica funckii'' A.Chev. *''Myrica gale'' L. – sweet gale or bog-myrtle *''Myrica goetzei'' Engl. *''Myrica hartwegii'' S.Watson – Sierra bayberry *''Myrica holdridgeana'' Lundell *''Myrica humilis'' Cham. *''Myrica inodora'' W.Bartram – scentless bayberry *''Myrica integra'' (A.Chev.) Killick *''Myrica integrifolia'' Roxb. *''Myrica interrupta'' Benth. *''Myrica javanica'' Blume *''Myrica kandtiana'' Engl. *''Myrica kilimandscharica'' Engl. *''Myrica kraussiana'' Buchinger *''Myrica lindeniana'' C.DC. *''Myrica meyeri-johannis'' Engl. *''Myrica microbracteata'' Weim. *''Myrica mildbraedii'' Engl. *''Myrica nana'' A.Chev. *''Myrica parvifolia'' Benth. *''Myrica pavonis'' C.DC. *''Myrica pensylvanica'' Mirb. – northern bayberry *''Myrica phanerodonta'' Standl. *''Myrica picardae'' Krug & Urb. *''Myrica pilulifera'' Rendle – broad-leaved waxberry *''Myrica pringlei'' Greenm. *''Myrica pubescens'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. *''Myrica punctata'' Griseb. *''Myrica pusilla'' Raf. *''Myrica quercifolia'' L. – oak waxberry *''Myrica rotundata'' Steyerm. & Maguire *''Myrica rubra'' (Lour.) Siebold & Zucc. – ''yang mei'', Chinese bayberry, yumberry *''Myrica salicifolia'' Hochst. ex A.Rich. *''Myrica serrata'' Lam. – lance-leaved waxberry *''Myrica shaferi'' Urb. & Britton *''Myrica singularis'' Parra-Os. *''Myrica spathulata'' Mirb. {{div col end}}

===Species names with uncertain taxonomic status=== The status of the following species and hybrids is unresolved:<ref name="PlantList1"/><ref name="PlantList2"/> {{div col|colwidth=350px}} * ''Morella × macfarlanei'' (Youngken) Kartesz * ''Morella pumila'' Small * ''Myrica aethiopica'' L. * ''Myrica alaternoides'' Crantz * ''Myrica algarbiensis'' Gand. * ''Myrica altera'' C.DC. * ''Myrica apiculata'' Urb. & Ekman * ''Myrica arabica'' Willd. * ''Myrica auriculata'' Ridl. * ''Myrica australasica'' F.Muell. * ''Myrica banksiifolia'' J.C.Wendl. * ''Myrica bojeriana'' Baker * ''Myrica'' × ''burbankii'' A.Chev. * ''Myrica burmannii'' E. Mey. ex C. Dc. * ''Myrica capensis'' Steud. * ''Myrica carolenensis'' A.Rich. * ''Myrica caroliniana'' Ettingsh. * ''Myrica conifera'' Burm.f. * ''Myrica domingana'' C.DC. * ''Myrica dregeana'' A.Chev. * ''Myrica elliptica'' A.Chev. * ''Myrica esquirolii'' H.Lév. * ''Myrica fallax'' DC. * ''Myrica florida'' Regel * ''Myrica fuscata'' Raf. * ''Myrica glabrissima'' A.Chev. * ''Myrica hirsuta'' Mill. * ''Myrica holtzii'' Engl. & Brehmer * ''Myrica humbertii'' Staner & Lebrun * ''Myrica ilicifolia'' Burm.f. * ''Myrica jamaicensis'' R.A.Howard & Proctor * ''Myrica laciniata'' Willd. * ''Myrica latiloba'' Heer * ''Myrica lobbii'' Teijsm. & Binn. ex Miq. * ''Myrica longifolia'' Teijsm. & Binn. ex C.DC. * ''Myrica macrophylla'' Mirb. * ''Myrica microcarpa'' Benth. * ''Myrica microstachya'' Krug & Urb. * ''Myrica montana'' Vahl * ''Myrica mossii'' Burtt Davy * ''Myrica myrtifolia'' A.Chev. * ''Myrica nagi'' Thunb. * ''Myrica natalensis'' C.DC. * ''Myrica oligadenia'' Peter * ''Myrica ovata'' H.L.Wendl. * ''Myrica pusilla'' Raf. * ''Myrica reticulata'' Krug & Urb. * ''Myrica rivas-martinezii'' A.Santos * ''Myrica rogersii'' Burtt Davy * ''Myrica roraimae'' Oliv. * ''Myrica rothmaleriana'' P.Silva * ''Myrica rotundifolia'' Salisb. * ''Myrica tomentosa'' Asch. & Graebn. * ''Myrica trifoliata'' Turpin * ''Myrica trifoliata'' L. * ''Myrica trifoliolata'' DC. * ''Myrica undulata'' Raf. * ''Myrica usambarensis'' Engl. * ''Myrica verrucosa'' Raf. * ''Myrica vidaliana'' Rolfe {{div col end}}

===Formerly placed here=== *''Balakata luzonica'' (as ''M. luzonica'' S.Vidal)<ref>[http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/Euphorbs/specB/Balakata.htm ''Balakata''.] Malesian Euphorbiaceae Descriptions. National Herbarium Nederland.</ref> *''Comptonia peregrina'' (L.) J.M.Coult. (as ''M. aspleniifolia'' L.) *''Nageia nagi'' (Thunb.) Kuntze (as ''M. nagi'' Thunb.)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikispecies}} *[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Myrica&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: ''Myrica''] *[http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=121458 Flora of China: ''Myrica''] *[http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=121458 Flora of North America: ''Myrica''] *[http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=201&taxon_id=121458 Trees and shrubs of Ecuador: ''Myrica''] *[http://www.horta.uac.pt/species/plantae/inicio.htm Flora of Azores: ''Myrica''] *[https://tasteofnepal.blogspot.com/2013/05/kaaphal-or-kafal-fruit-bay-berry.html Flora of Nepal: ''Kaphal''] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110513214158/http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/393-bayberry Monograph on the medicinal and clinical uses of ''Myrica cerifera'']

Category:Myrica Category:Dioecious plants Category:Fagales genera