Other common names:
Northern Bayberry Other scientific names: Myrica pensylvanica French names:
Myrique de Pennsylvanie Family: Bayberry Family (Myricaceae) Distinctive features: Shrub; Leaves aromatic when crushed. Waxy berries. Leaves: Alternate, Simple; Aromatic when crushed. Alternate, simple. Height:
Up to 1 m (3 ft) Fruit/Seeds:
Waxy berries. Hard. Habitat: Fields and Open Areas; Open forests. Books: Shrubs of Ontario: 91 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Rare in Ontario.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: pensylvanica: of Pennsylvania Photographs:
73 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Bayberry is very rare in Ontario. It is locally common elsewhere, such as the New Jersey Pine Barrens and Nova Scotia.
A Bayberry bush.
The top side of a leaf.
The underside of a leaf. The leaves are tough.
Typical arrangement of leaves.
Closeup of early berries. The bumps all over them are wax.
More mature berries. The waxy aspect of the bumps is more evident now. Pioneer people made candles from the wax.
