Wax Myrtle
Myrica cerifera
Family: Myricaceae
Natural History
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.