Skip to main content
UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences logo
Give      University of Florida
Resources
    Toggle Search Form
    GIVE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
    • HOME
    • Forest Ecology Contest
          • Contest Stations
          • Past Winners
          • About the Contest
    • Nature Poetry Contest
    • 4-H Forest Resources

    Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

    Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

    • florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu
    • Florida 4-H Forest Ecology
    • Forest Ecology Contest
    • Contest Stations
    • Trees of Florida
    • Waxmyrtle

    Wax Myrtle/Waxmyrtle

    Myrica cerifera
    Family: Myricaceae

    Natural History

    wmyrtle-full
    Fruits of wax myrtle | Photo credit: Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org

    Wax myrtle is also known as southern bayberry or candleberry because early American colonists used the fruit's pale blue, waxy covering to make fragrant bayberry candles. This custom is still carried out today by crafts people here and in other countries.

    The tree's distinctive, fragrant scent comes from volatile oils contained in tiny glands on the leaves. These oils cause wax myrtle to ignite in a flash in a fire - making wax myrtle a very flammable plant.

    Section Topics

    • Habitat and Range
    • Wildlife Use
    • Human Use
    • Identifying Characteristics
    • Images
    • Learn More
    University of Florida Logo
    Contact

    Feedback
    Florida 4-H Forest Ecology
    P.O. Box 110410 Gainesville, FL 32611-0410
    (352) 846-0547

    Land Grant Mission
    • Teaching
    • Research
    • Extension
    Information
    • Ask IFAS (EDIS)
    • UF/IFAS Experts
    • UF/IFAS Blogs
    • UF/IFAS Bookstore
    Policy
    • Accessible UF
    • EEO Statement
    • IFAS Web Policy
    • SSN & UF Privacy
    • Analytics (Google Privacy)

    © 2025 University of Florida, IFAS Last Modified:Wed, 22 May 2024 15:13:10 EDT