wax myrtle

Wax myrtle refers to any of the trees or shrubs in the genus Myrica, known for their aromatic foliage. A notable species is Myrica cerifera, a shrub or small tree native to the eastern U.S. Its small, hard berries are coated in a bluish-white wax that was historically used for making candles.1

The family Myricaceae, to which wax myrtles belong, includes three genera of trees and shrubs found worldwide. These plants often have aromatic leaves with yellow glandular dots. Their single-seeded fruits can be covered in waxy granules. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, typically appearing in catkins. Other useful plants in this family include sweet gale and bayberry, both of which also yield wax.2