Myrica caroliniensis
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Myrica caroliniensis is a species of the genus Myrica within the family of myricaceae (Myricaceae). It is on the coast and in the coastal plains of southeastern North America is home, where it is English bayberry, bayberry southern, Pocosin bayberry evergreen, bayberry called. It is used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, its fruits are used to make candles , and it is also used as a medicinal plant .
description
Vegetative characteristics
Myrica caroliniensis is an evergreen or late deciduous shrub or small tree . Myrica caroliniensis forms colonies through its rhizomes .
The glandular leaves are long and leathery and have serrated edges.
Generative characteristics
Myrica caroliniensis is dioecious separate sexes ( diocesan ), d. H. there are male and female specimens. The male flowers have three to five stamens , which are surrounded by short bracts .
The spherical stone fruits are surrounded by a layer of wax .
Phenology
The flowering period in North America extends from spring to early summer. The fruits ripen in North America in late summer or fall.
Ecology and locations
Myrica caroliniensis forms actinorrhiza : its roots are surrounded by nitrogen-fixing root nodules , which are formed in a symbiosis with actinobacteria of the genus Frankia . This makes it tolerant of low-nitrogen, acidic soils such as in wetlands , pocosins and on dunes .
The fruit is the food source of many species of birds, including Virginia quail and turkey . In winter, the seeds are important for Carolina wrens and tree sparrows . To a certain extent, the Virginia quail plant also provides habitat. The birds' digestive system removes the wax layer from the fruit, a requirement for germination .
distribution
The natural range extends from Texas to Maryland on the US east coast. Myrica caroliniensis is difficult to distinguish from Myrica pensylvanica , which occurs northwards into Canada .
Systematics
Myrica caroliniensis was first published by Philip Miller .
Myrica caroliniensis is one of Myrica species, which by some authors as Morella caroliniensis (Mill.) Small in the genus Morella out is. It is also very similar to Myrica pensylvanica ; these two species are occasionally brought together, notwithstanding the fact that Myrica caroliniensis is evergreen or very late deciduous. Myrica caroliniensis is also similar to Myrica cerifera . They are differentiated by the leaves and the smell: Myrica cerifera has glands on the top and bottom of the leaves, while Myrica caroliniensis only has these on the underside; it also doesn't have such a distinctive odor. Both species produce hybrids .
Depending on the author, synonyms for Myrica caroliniensis Mill. Are for example: Cerothamnus pensylvanicus (Loisel.) Moldenke , Myrica pennsylvanica Lam. , Myrica heterophylla Raf. , Cerothamnus carolinensis (Mill.) Tidestrom , Myrica cerifera var. Augustifolia DC. , Myrica cerifera var. Latifolia Aiton , Myrica curtissii A.Chev. , Myrica curtissii var. Media (Michaux) A. Chev. , Myrica heterophylla var. Curtissii (A.Chev.) Fernald , Myrica sessilifolia Raf. , Myrica sessilifolia var. Latifolia (Aiton) Raf.
use
Ornamental plant
Myrica caroliniensis is used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens .
Herbal medicine
The early US settlers used the bark of Myrica caroliniensis as a dentifrice.
The Choctaw cooked plant parts and used the infusion to treat fever . It is said that in 1722, Louisiana colonists drank a mixture of the wax and hot water to treat severe dysentery . In a report from 1737 Myrica caroliniensis is described as an application against seizures , colic , fainting and epileptic seizures . In the early 19th century, herbalist Samuel Thomson began recommending the plant as a remedy for infectious diseases and diarrhea because of its ability to generate “heat” in the body . This use decreased in importance in the course of the 19th century, but various other ailments such as bleeding gums were treated topically . From 1916 the root bark of the plant was included in the US equivalent of the Red List for 20 years .
The use of Myrica caroliniensis in herbal medicine has declined since its heyday in the 19th century. It is still used today to treat fever, diarrhea, and a few other ailments . Myricitrin has an antipyretic effect, and together with tannins it acts against diarrhea; it has an antibiotic effect, while the tannins have astringent properties.
A decoction or tincture is generally used. Infusions and topical ointments are also used.
Pregnant women should not use preparations made from Myrica caroliniensis .
Candle making
The fruits of Myrica caroliniensis were traditionally used in the southern states to make wax for old-fashioned Christmas decorations ( English bayberry candles ). The wax was extracted by boiling, and the wax floating on the surface was then skimmed off. The fats were boiled again and then strained. After that, the liquid was suitable for making candles by drawing or molding. Myrica caroliniensis is not the only plant species used for this; their close relatives are also useful.
Myrica caroliniensis and its relatives have largely been replaced by substitutes such as paraffin in candle production . Food colors and fragrances are added to the substitutes so that they look and smell similar to the natural products.
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literature
- Allan J. Bornstein: Myricaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee (Ed.): Flora of North America North of Mexico , Volume 3 - Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae , Oxford University Press, New York and Oxford, 1997, ISBN 0-19-511246-6 . Myrica heterophylla Rafinesque - online with the same text as the printed work .
- RL Wilbur: The identity and history of Myrica caroliniensis (Myricaceae). In: Rhodora , Volume 104, 2002, p. 39.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Allan J. Bornstein: Myricaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee (Ed.): Flora of North America North of Mexico , Volume 3 - Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae , Oxford University Press, New York and Oxford, 1997, ISBN 0-19-511246-6 . Myrica heterophylla Rafinesque - online with the same text as the printed work .
- ↑ a b c Timothy R. Van Deelen: Morella cerifera . In: Fire Effects Information System . United States Forest Service . 1991. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ↑ a b Southern Bayberry (Morella caroliniensis) . Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ↑ a b c Morella caroliniensis . International Institute of Tropical Forestry. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ ITIS Standard Report Page: Morella caroliniensis . Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ Morella caroliniensis in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), USDA , ARS , National Genetic Resources Program. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ↑ Plants profile for Morella caroliniensis (Southern bayberry) . In: USDA Plants database . Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ A b c d Michael Castleman: The Healing Herbs . Rhodale Press, 1991, ISBN 0-87857-934-6 .
- ^ A b c d Andrew Chevallier: The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants . The Reader's Digest Association, 1996, ISBN 0-88850-546-9 .
- ↑ a b Back to the Basics - How to Learn and Enjoy Our Traditional Skills . The Readers Digest Association Canada, Montreal, PQ 1981, ISBN 0-88850-098-X .
