Difference between revisions of "Morella pumila"

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''M. pumila'' is used by wild birds as a source of food, and the branches are also utilized by wild birds for nesting and perching habitat. <ref name= "USDA"/>
 
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Revision as of 13:25, 30 May 2018

Morella pumila
Morella pumila GF.jpg
Photo by Gary Fleming at the Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicots
Order: Fagales
Family: Myricaceae
Genus: Morella
Species: M. pumila
Binomial name
Morella pumila
L.
MORE PUMI DIST.JPG
Natural range of Morella pumila from Weakley [1]

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 a 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. [2]

Distribution

Ecology

Habitat

Use by animals

M. pumila is used by wild birds as a source of food, and the branches are also utilized by wild birds for nesting and perching habitat. [2]

Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

This Wax-Myrtle is popular for cultivation due to its ornamental value. M. pumila is also a good plant to use for native area restoration in its native communities like sandy coastal and woodland communities. It is a good plant for dune stabilization and further restoration. [2]

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. Weakley, Alan S. 2015. Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States: Working Draft of 21 May 2015. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 1320 pp.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 USDA Plants Database URL: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MOCE2