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Morella cerifera

(L.) Small (1903)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fagales Family: Myricaceae Genus: Morella

southern wax myrtle, wax myrtle

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Fl. S.E. U.S.: 337 (1903)

Other References

Meidell et al. 1997:17 (NEWNAT/WM [as Myrica cerifera]); Wilbur 1994:100/Oppenheimer 2003:15 (Syn. Myrica cerifera = Morella cerifera); Frohlich & Lau 2012:40 (K? [adventive], H); Tiffani Keanini pers. comm. 2025/KISC 2024 (K†, 2019)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Morella cerifera W Maui, Honokahua, area surrounding the Maunalei Arboretum Located in an area of historic exotic plantings. Associated vegetation: Syzygium cumini, Psidium guajava, Paspalum conjugatum, Dicranopteris linearis, Dodonaea viscosa, Metrosideros polymorpha, Syzygium jambos, Alyxia oliviformis, Odontosoia chinensis, Microlepia strigosa, Chamaesyce multiformis. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 127 Maui BISH 1996-10-31
2 Morella cerifera Haena, on Haena Place Coastal residential cultivated setting. Preserved_Specimen OED 2010030902 Kauai BISH 2010-03-09
3 Morella cerifera Sunrise Ridge subdivision on Mohouli St. extension between Komohana St. and Kaumana Drive Growing with Melastoma septemnervium, Melochia, other weedy species on thin soil on roadside. Distribution of the plant in the area is unknown but it is common just above Komohana St. for about 1 km on Mohouli St. Appears to occupy at least 70 acres. Preserved_Specimen Conant, P. Hawaii BISH 2003-03-19
4 Morella cerifera Several large trees 7-8 m. tall and a few (not many) apparent seedlings along Stainback Highway between Panaewa Zoo and Hawaii Belt Highway Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 6936 Hawaii BISH 1985-04-26
5 Morella cerifera Honolulu; Manoa Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH 1954-12-10
6 Morella cerifera Honolulu; Manoa Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH 1954-12-10
7 Morella cerifera W Maui, Honokahua, area surrounding the Maunalei Arboretum Located in an area of historic exotic plantings. Associated vegetation: Syzygium cumini, Psidium guajava, Paspalum conjugatum, Dicranopteris linearis, Dodonaea viscosa, Metrosideros polymorpha, Syzygium jambos, Alyxia oliviformis, Odontosoia chinensis, Microlepia strigosa, Chamaesyce multiformis. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 127 Maui BISH 1996-10-31
8 Morella cerifera East Maui, Awalau, Haiku Wet residential area. Associated vegetation: Gliricidia, strawberry guava, guava. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 209041 Maui BISH 2002-09-04
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