Morella pumila L.

국표에 없다.

Taxonomic Notes

Synonyms: Myrica pusilla Rafinesque, Morella cerifera (Linnaeus) Small, Myrica cerifera Linnaeus var. pumila Michaux, and Cerothamnus pumilus (Michaux) Small.

Varieties: none.

Description

M. pumila, also known as Dwarf Wax-Myrtle, is a native perennial that varies in growth habit from an evergreen shrub and subshrub to tree growth. It is a member of the Myricaceae family, and can grow up to 6 feet high. The species is dioecious, with aromatic leaves and root nodules that help fix nitrogen in the soil. As well, it has rhizomatous roots which can propagate to form new growth.

M. pumila has staminate flowers with 3-5 stamens, fruit that are 2.0-3.5 mm in diameter, leaves that are serrate, oblanceolate, 0.5-1.5 cm wide and 4-6x as long. Its branches are 1.5-4 cm long and 3-8 mm wide.

Distribution

M. pumila is a southeastern Coastal Plain endemic, ranging from Virginia to Florida and west to Louisiana. It is also native to Puerto Rico, and has been introduced to Hawaii.

Ecology

Habitat

The species can be found in relatively moist to extremely dry sites, including sandhills, savannas, and pine flatwoods. M. pumila has been observed in small clearings beside roads.

Associated species - Vaccinium darrowi, Pityopsis spp.

Morella pumila is frequent and abundant in the Panhandle Silty Longleaf Woodlands and Central Florida Flatwoods/Prairies community types as described in Carr et al. (2010).

Morella pumila - Coastal Plain Plants Wiki