Family: Myricaceae

Morella cerifera (bayberry, wax myrtle) is an evergreen shrub native to North and Central America and the Caribbean. It is cultivated for ornamental purposes, as well as being used for candle wax, soap and for its antibacterial and nematicidal (kill nematodes) properties. It is a weed of pastures and pine plantations in the southern US, and is naturalized on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. This plant is a skin irritant. It also forms dense stands, and is able to grow in shaded areas. All of these factors make it a problematic environmental weed. Its seeds may remain in the soil for up to 4 years and be spread easily by birds. It also spreads by suckers and resprouts after cutting, making it difficult to eradicate once established.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in tropical to subtropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Maui and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands)
  
• A weed of pastures and pine plantations in the southern U.S.
  
• An environmental weed in the Hawaiian Islands
  
• Other Morella species are invasive
  
• Allelopathic
  
• Potential skin irritant
  
• Increases fire risk in natural systems
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Capable of forming dense stands
  
• Nitrogen fixing (may alter soil nutrients)
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by root suckers
  
• Hybridizes with other Morella species
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, possibly water and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds may remain viable in soil for 4 or more years
  
• Able to resprout after cutting
  
• No natural enemies known to be present in the Hawaiian Islands

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to browsing animals (although may not be preferred)
  
• Valued as an ornamental
  
• Dioecious
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control