Wax Myrtle, Morella cerifera Synonym: Myrica cerifera

Wax myrtle is one the most widespread plants in Florida, and it is found in coastal states west to Texas and north to New Jersey. The wax found around seeds can be melted down to make candles. The fruits of wax myrtle are important for birds and other wildlife, and the plant is a larval host for the banded hairstreak and redbanded hairstreak butterflies (Satyrium calanus and Calycopis cecrops, respectively) (Lotts and Naberhaus 2017). Wax myrtle has been shown to contribute substantial nitrogen addition to soils via symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms residing in soils (Permar and Fisher 1983).https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg176 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.

Influence of Irrigation Regime on Water Stress and Growth of Ligustrum japonicum and Myrica cerifera During Establishment

Native plants are often promoted for water conservation in urban landscapes. However, direct comparisons between native and introduced species utilizing physiological measures of plant water stress are unavailable to support or refute such recommendations. Ligustrum japonicum and Myrica cerifera, representing evergreen introduced and native species, respectively, were selected based on similar landscape function, non-stressed photosynthetic rates, and water use efficiencies. Both species were transplanted into a fine sand soil to evaluate establishment rates and growth characteristics under two irrigation regimes, irrigated either daily or every 3 d at 1.3 cm (0.5 in) of irrigation per event for the first 8 months after transplanting (MAT). Water potentials were recorded on two consecutive days each month, with cumulative stress intervals calculated. Water potential was significantly influenced by day of water stress level. On days without irrigation, water stress was generally greater and affected growth. Of the two species, Myrica irrigated daily had the greatest shoot growth, yet plants receiving irrigation every 3 d had the lowest root mass and biomass 8 MAT. In contrast, Ligustrum exhibited no differences in most parameters measured between irrigation regimes except for growth index. These contrasting differences stem from different strategies for coping with water stress.