California Wax Myrtle
Myrica californica
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Alex (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Myricaceae
- Genus:
- Myrica
- Species:
- Myrica californica
- USDA Symbol:
- MOCA6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bagworm moth (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis), Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), crispate flannel moth (Megalopyge crispata), Olethreutes sericoranum, Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), red-lined emerald (Nemoria rubrolinearia), stinging rose caterpillar (Parasa indetermina), Telphusa sp., Yellow-shouldered Slug Moth (Lithacodes fasciola)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Nitrogen-fixing root nodules aid post-fire recovery.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds may have erratic germination. Removing waxy coating may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For seeds: Soak in fresh water overnight, rinse in 5% bleach solution for 1 minute, place in plastic freezer bag with equal amount of ph neutral peat, and refrigerate at 40F for 2-3 months. For cuttings: Dip in mild bleach solution for 30 seconds, recut to 5 nodes in length, treat with Hormex (3000 ppm IBA) rooting powder, and strike in flats containing 3:1 Perlite/Vermiculite.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in January, while hardwood cuttings are collected between November 1st and January 31st. Transplant survival averages 75% for seeds and 60% for cuttings.
Source: npn.rngr.net