Myrica cerifera
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Myrica cerifera is a plant from the genus Myrica of the family of myricaceae (Myricaceae). It occurs from the east to south-central USA via Mexico to Central America and on the Caribbean islands. It is used both as an ornamental and medicinal plant and for making candles . CommonEnglish names are southern wax myrtle, southern bayberry, candleberry, bayberry tree, tallow shrub.
description
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Vegetative characteristics
Myrica cerifera occurs in two forms, although there is no clear separation between them, as there are many intermediate forms. The specimens in drier and sandy areas are shrubs with rhizomes and small leaves, while those in wetter areas with more nutrient-rich soils have larger leaves and grow into trees.
Myrica cerifera grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree . Large colonies ( clones ) with many branches are often formed by rhizomes with a diameter of up to 14 meters . The bark of the twigs is reddish-brown and initially dotted with dense yellow glandular dots, later densely finely haired, sometimes bald to bald.
The alternate leaves arranged on the branches are divided into a petiole and a leaf blade. The leathery, simple leaf blade is with a length of 2 to 10.5 (1.1 to 13.3) centimeters and a width of 0.4 to 3.3 centimeters linear-inverted-lanceolate to inverted-ovoid with a wedge-shaped to itself narrowing base and pointed to rounded upper end. The leaf margin is smooth or roughly serrated above the center. The underside of the leaf is light yellow-green and bare; only the midrib is finely haired. The upper side of the leaf is dark green and bald to finely hairy. There are densely yellow to orange colored glands on both sides of the leaves . The leaves are aromatic.
Generative characteristics
Myrica cerifera is dioeciously segregated ( diocesan ), d. H. male and female flowers are in catkins on different specimens. The male kittens are 0.4 to 1.9 centimeters long and contain short bracts with a ciliate border. Male flowers usually contain three or four stamens and are. The female kittens are 0.3 to 1.5 centimeters long and contain durable bracts with a ciliate border. The ovary is glandular, especially at the upper end at the transition to the style.
The spherical-ellipsoidal stone fruits with a diameter of 2 to 3.5 millimeters, rarely up to 4 millimeters, are glabrous or initially sparsely glandular and surrounded by a thick, blue-white layer of wax . An endosperm is missing the seeds.
Phenology
The flowering period in North America extends from late winter to spring. The fruits ripen in late summer or autumn.
ecology
The roots have nodules that house symbiotic Actonomycetes , which fix nitrogen faster than legumes .
The parts of Myrica cerifera that grow above ground are often affected by fires , even if they are small or temporary. In the latter case, only the current increment on the plant is often affected. Because leaves, shoots and branches contain flammable aromatic substances, a specimen of Myrica cerifera actually poses a fire hazard . In contrast to the inflammability of above-ground growth, the root system of Myrica cerifera is resistant to fire. However, the plants do not withstand the repeated destruction of the above-ground parts indefinitely. Three consecutive years of fires would kill all affected plants. After less destructive fires, new branches sprout from the ground. This happens fastest in the first growing season after a fire.
Myrica cerifera can also reproduce vegetatively through rhizomes .
The fruit is the food source for many species of birds such as the Virginia quail and the turkey . In winter, the seeds form an important food for the Carolina wren ( Thryothorus ludovicianus ) and the tree sparrow . To a certain extent, Myrica cerifera also provides habitat for the Virginia quail. The birds' digestive systems remove the wax coating from the fruit, which is a prerequisite for the seeds to germinate .
Occurrence
The natural range of Myrica cerifera extends from the southeast and south-central USA over Mexico to Central America; and it comes from Bermuda and the Caribbean islands.
Myrica cerifera is adapted to many habitats and grows naturally in wetlands , on river and brook banks, sand dunes , on fields and hills, in pine heaths and in both coniferous and mixed forests. In connection with succession processes, Myrica cerifera is often one of the first plant species to colonize an area (“pioneer plant”).
Systematics
Myrica cerifera is one of the Myrica species that z. B. from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System in the genus Morella out is. Myrica cerifera also has several synonyms beyond the division of Myrica / Morella : Cerothamnus pumilus , Cerothamnus ceriferus , Myrica cerifera var. Pumila and Myrica pusilla . Myrica cerifera is similar to the species Myrica pensylvanica and Myrica caroliniensis , but can be differentiated based on the fragrances and the fruits.
The specific epithet means "waxed".
use
Ornamental plant
Myrica cerifera is used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens . In general, Myrica cerifera grows in the US in climate zones 11 through 7. Myrica pensylvanica replaces Myrica cerifera in areas colder than zone 6. Myrica cerifera can be grown as far as the New York City area and the southern Ohio Valley .
Since Myrica cerifera is adaptable, it can survive under a variety of conditions, even if they often cut must be. However, she also copes with poor editing. There are at least four cultivars of Myrica cerifera : 'Fairfax', 'Jamaica Road' and 'Don's Dwarf' differ from the “typical” specimens in appearance and shape. The latter two varieties are resistant to leaf spots that can be caused by various bacteria or fungi. A so-called Myrica cerifera var. Pumila (taxonomically not accepted as a variety) is cultivated as a dwarf form .
Herbal medicine
The bark of the roots of Myrica cerifera has been used in herbal medicine in the past . Myrica cerifera contains various organic ingredients such as triterpenes (myricadiol, taraxerol and taraxeron ) as well as chemicals as diverse as flavonoids , tannins , resins , gums and phenols . Myricadiol has slight influence on the intake of potassium and sodium , while myricetin - derivative myricitrin antibiotic properties.
The Choctaw cooked parts of plants and used the infusion against 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 cerifera 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 cerifera 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 cerifera . In addition, the carcinogenic effect of tannins is unclear; there are studies that suggest this as well as those that show an anti-cancer effect. Like other medicinal plants, Myrica cerifera should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Candles
The fruits of Myrica cerifera 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 cerifera is not the only plant species used for this, however; their close relatives are also useful.
Myrica cerifera and its relatives have largely been replaced by substitutes such as paraffin in the manufacture of candles . 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 cerifera Linnaeus - online with the same text as the printed work.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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 cerifera Linnaeus - online with the same text as the printed work.
- ↑ a b c d e f g Andrew Chevallier: The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants . The Reader's Digest Association, 1996, ISBN 0-88850-546-9 .
- ↑ a b c d e f g h = Timothy R. Van Deelen: Myrica cerifera . In: Fire Effects Information System = FEIS . United States Forest Service . 1991. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
- ^ ITIS Standard Report Page: Morella cerifera . Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved January 7, 2008.
- ↑ Southern Bayberry (Morella caroliniensis) . Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ A b = Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson: Myrica cerifera : Southern Waxmyrtle . Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services. November 1993. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
- ↑ Myrica cerifera . Louisiana State University . Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- ↑ Erv Evans: Shrubs: Myrica cerifera . North Carolina State University . 2003. Archived from the original on November 22, 2007. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
- ↑ Select Myrica cerifera cultivars . Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
- ↑ a b c d e Michael Castleman: The Healing Herbs . Rhodale Press, 1991, ISBN 0-87857-934-6 .
- ↑ 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 .
