Myrica cerifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cerophora angustifolia
• Morella cerifera
• Cerophora inodora
• Cerophora lanceolata
• Myrica altera
• Cerophora spicans
• Myrica microstachya
• Myrica microcarpa
• Myrica jamaicensis
• Myrica mexicana
• Myrica polycarpa
• Myrica reticulata
• Myrica domingana
• Myrica xalapensis
• Myrica verrucosa
• Myrica cerifera var. dubia
• Myrica cerifera var. arborescens
• Myrica cerifera var. angustifolia
• Myrica microcarpa var. angustifolia
• Myrica mexicana var. subglabra
• Myrica mexicana var. fastuosa
• Cerothamnus cerifer
• Morella domingana
• Lacistema berteroanum
• Lacistema alterum
• Pimecaria odorata

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Fagales and the family Myrricaceae, specifically falling within the genus Myrica. As a member of the genus Myrica, Myrica cerifera represents a distinct lineage within these hierarchical biological groupings.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the North-Central Pacific, it can be found in Hawaii. Its presence extends into the North-Central United States, specifically within Illinois and Oklahoma. Moving toward the eastern part of the country, it is also located in New Jersey. Finally, the species reaches into the South-Central United States, notably in Texas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrica cerifera is characterized by its preference for pine savanna habitats, where it thrives within these specific open woodland ecosystems. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

pine savanna

Life history

The life history of Myrica cerifera is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a presence in its ecosystem over many growing seasons. Throughout its development, the plant exhibits evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant leaf cover enables the plant to sustain metabolic processes and structural integrity across varying environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrica cerifera is characterized by its woody structure, exhibiting a growth form that can range from a shrub to a tree. It is a self-supporting plant, meaning it lacks climbing habits such as being a liana or vine, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 8.40 meters. In terms of its ecological habitat and life strategy, it is classified as a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one, maintaining a stable presence on land.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

8.39666666666667 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrica cerifera is characterized by a highly specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, specifically those belonging to the genus Frankia. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant possesses the capacity to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, a trait indicated by its ability to thrive in nutrient-poor, acidic, and sandy soils where other species might struggle. This process occurs within specialized root structures known as actinorhizal nodules, where the bacteria facilitate the reduction of dinitrogen gas into ammonia, which is subsequently assimilated into the plant's metabolic pathways for the synthesis of amino acids and proteins. This physiological adaptation provides a significant competitive advantage, allowing the plant to maintain high rates of growth and biomass production even in nitrogen-limited environments. Furthermore, its metabolic processes are adapted to tolerate high levels of soil acidity and moisture fluctuations, supporting its role as a foundational species in wetland and coastal ecosystems.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Myrica cerifera is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by wind mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile, ranging from a minimum of 0.005399 g to a maximum of 0.01202 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.0074443125 g. Following fertilization, the dispersal of the species follows a zoochorous syndrome, specifically through endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed via the internal passage through animal digestive tracts.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed mass max:

0.01202 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0074443125 g

Seed mass min:

0.005399 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrica cerifera has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology

Chemicals

Myrica cerifera has 60 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Myricitrin, ALPHA-PINENE, ALUMINUM, Ash, Betulin.

Myricitrin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicology and applied pharmacology
3. Vascular pharmacology

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHROMIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COBALT

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Myrica cerifera has 457 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. American journal of undergraduate research

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Vascular pharmacology

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Myrica cerifera has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include atherosclerosis, bacterial infections, cardiovascular diseases, coronavirus, nematode infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations