Bayberry
Myrica pensylvanica
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Wikimedia: Photo by Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Myricaceae
- Genus:
- Myrica
- Species:
- Myrica pensylvanica
- USDA Symbol:
- MOMA6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green
- 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
Agonopterix walsinghamella, Allen's Aphelia (Aphelia alleniana), Ancylis subaequana, Apple Sphinx (Sphinx "gordius"), Apple Sphinx (Sphinx gordius), Archips myricana, Argent and sable (Rheumaptera hastata), Argyrotaenia repertana, Bay underwing (Catocala badia), Bayberry Leafroller Moth (Strepsicrates smithiana), black-and-white leafroller (Syndemis afflictana), black-dotted leaftier moth (Psilocorsis cryptolechiella), Brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea), Caloptilia flavella, Cameraria picturatella, Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Clematis Sphinx (Sphinx luscitiosa), Coelebs Underwing (Catocala coelebs), Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia), Dichomeris bipunctella, Dogwood borer (Synanthedon scitula), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Io moth (Automeris io), lanceolate dagger moth (Acronicta lanceolaria), Melanchra assimilis, Olethreutes valdanum, Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), Red-bordered Emerald (Nemoria lixaria), Red-fronted Emerald (Nemoria rubrifrontaria), Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), Rheumaptera sp., skiff moth (Prolimacodes badia), Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta), stinging rose caterpillar (Parasa indetermina), sweetfern geometer (Cyclophora pendulinaria), sweetfern leaf casebearer (Acrobasis comptoniella), white-fringed emerald (Nemoria mimosaria), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Cameraria picturatella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus)
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 root crown following fire. Colonizes disturbed and burned sites readily.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from removal of waxy coating before stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI