This small shrub is fairly common in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Similar to its much larger and more common sister species Morella cerifera (Common Wax-myrtle), Dwarf Wax-myrtle is stoloniferous (spreading by underground runners) and usually grows less than 3 feet tall. The evergreen leaves of this delicate shrub are about half the length and width of those of Common Wax-myrtle. Like Common Wax-myrtle, the leaves are spicily fragrant when rubbed, but to my nose the fragrance is noticably different.
Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.
Developing staminate (male) catkins.
Also known as Myrica pumila, Myrica pusilla, or Cerothamnus pumilus. Dwarf Wax-myrtle is also called Dwarf Bayberry and is sometimes lumped with Common Wax-myrtle in Morella/Myrica cerifera.
Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.
Detail of leaf underside, showing the yellow resin glands.
Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.
