Southern Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera · Also known as: bayberry, candleberry, Myrica cerifera
Evergreen coastal shrub with fragrant leaves and waxy gray berries. Classic “bayberry” of Assateague trails and dunes.
Quick facts
| Group | Coastal forest |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Mainland near OC, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore, Dunes, Salt marsh |
| Seasons (this coast) | year-round |
How to recognize them
- Olive-green aromatic leaves; multi-stemmed shrub to small tree with smooth gray bark.
- Clusters of small blue-gray waxy berries on female plants persist into winter.
Biology notes
- Fixes nitrogen with root symbionts; thrives in poor sandy and salty soils from dunes to forest edges.
- Berries feed yellow-rumped warblers and other winter birds; leaves host butterfly caterpillars.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague nature trails and campground edges—very common understory and dune scrub.
- Ocean City mainland buffers and bay-side parks approaching the resort.
When to look
- Evergreen foliage year-round; berries best late fall through winter on female shrubs.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Crush a leaf to smell the bayberry scent—easy ID trick for kids.
- Berries are not showy from a distance; walk slowly along trail margins.
