Myrica
(from Myrike, the old Greek name, used by Homer, for the Tamarisk). Candleberry Myrtle. The only genus of ORD. Myricaceae (which see for characters). Myricas thrive in moist and sandy peat. The greenhouse species are propagated by cuttings, taken during spring or autumn, and inserted under a hand glass, in a shady situation. The hardy ones may be increased by seeds, sown as soon as ripe; by layers, by cuttings, or by divisions. M. californica (Californian). fl. greenish, monoecious. fr. purple, papillose, thinly coated with greyish-white wax. l. oblanceolate, thick, slightly tomentose below, 2in. to 4in. long, acute. A hardy evergreen shrub; in a wild state, it sometimes attains a height of 30ft. to 40ft. M. cerifera (wax-bearing). Common Candleberry Myrtle. fl. reddish. May. l. lanceolate, pointed, serrated, flat, shining. h. 5ft. to 12ft. Canada, 1699. A small, hardy, evergreen shrub.
M. Gale (Gale). Sweet Gale. fl. brownish-green. February and March. l. lanceolate, serrated, tapering and entire at the base. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Europe (Britain), North Asia, and North America. A dwarf, fragrant, hardy, deciduous shrub.(Sy. En. B. 1248.) M. Nagi (Nagi). fl. greenish. fr. edible, deep red-purple, oblong or globose, studded with mamillary tubercles, and with a juicy acid flesh of soft radiating fibres. l. cuneate-lanceolate, serrated above the middle. China and Japan, 1868. Greenhouse shrub or small tree. (B. M. 5727.) M. quercifolia (Oak-leaved). fl. greenish. June. l. rigid, coriaceous, oblong, cuneate at the base, with sinuated margins. h. 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1752. Greenhouse evergreen shrub.