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NAME: Northern Bayberry
SPECIES / FAMILY: Myrica Pensylvanica / Myricaceae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S): wax myrtle
CONDITIONS:
sun/partial shade
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PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
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All |
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Shoots |
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Leaves |
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bay leaf |
DRY/COOK |
Spring/Summer |
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Stalk/Stem |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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RAW/COOK |
Fall |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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PORTION: small
COMMENT: Fruit - very little edible flesh and this is of poor quality. The leaves and fruit are used as a food flavouring in soups etc. A bay leaf substitute, imparting a delicate aroma and subtle flavour. The herb is removed before the food is served.
CAUTION: There is a report that some of the constituents of the wax might be carcinogenic.(1)
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: The root bark is astringent and emetic in large doses. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and externally as a wash for itchy skin.(1)
LOOK-A-LIKES:
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES:
OTHER USES: Wax. Dye. The berries can be used to make bayberry wax candles. American colonists boiled the berries to extract the sweet-smelling wax, which they used to make clean-burning candles.(2) The wax is also used in making soaps. A green dye is obtained from the leaves.(1)
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):