Myrica esculenta

Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don

Box myrtle, Bay berry

Myricaceae Edible: Fruit

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Summary

Myrica esculenta is a tree or large shrub of the tropics. The native range of this species stretches from Northern India (Uttarakhand) to Nepal to southern China and western and central Malaysia. Its common names include box myrtle, bayberry and kaphal. Its berries are edible and are consumed locally. It is the state fruit of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows to 4-12 m high. The trunk is 40 cm across. The bark is grey. The trunk branches early and in usually not straight. The young branches are hairy. The leaves have stalks. The stalks are 0.3-2 cm long. They are hairy. The leaves are 3-15 cm long by 1-4.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped but broader near the base. They are dark green on top and paler underneath. There can be teeth along the edge towards the tip. The flowers are of one sex. The male flowering cluster is much branched and are erect but can hang over at the tip. They are 4-9 cm long. The female flowering stalks are erect and 1-3.5 cm long with many flowers. They are greenish or slightly red. The fruit is oval and red when ripe. They are edible.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw, used in drinks and desserts, pickled, or used in distilling. The fruit are popular and sold in markets.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for a drink and desserts. It is also used in distilling. They are also pickled.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses documented in the provided data.

Distribution

A subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1300-2100 m altitude. It grows in open places. In China it grows in open forests on mountain slopes between 300-2500 m altitude in S China. It grows in tropical evergreen forest. It is light demanding and slightly drought tolerant. It occurs between 100-1,500 m altitude in Vietnam. It grows in subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forest.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Production

In India fruit are available March to May.

Other Information

The fruit are sold in markets. The plant is occasionally cultivated. It is a popular fruit.

Notes

There are about 50 Myrica species. Possibly now Morella.

Synonyms

Morella esculenta (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) I. M. TurnerMyrica farquhariana Wall.Myrica integrifolia Roxb.Myrica lobbii Teijsm. & Binn.Myrica missionis Wall.Myrica nagi Hook.f. in part, non Thunb.Myrica sapida Wall.

Also Known As

Aholick, Bol-sohlia, Chakchansi, Dau rurou, Dieng-soh-phie, Gelinchek, Jheremsi, Chenda si, Kafal, Kahela, Kahi, Kaidar yamu, Kaiphal, Kaphal, Kariphal, Kata-pho, Katphala, Kaya phala, Kei-fang, Keifang, Kesami, Keteng, Kharvusyu, Kirishivani, Kobusi, Lalisa, Lenketing, Mak ngam, Malay gale, Malu, Mao yang mei, Marudam, Maruta, Metiyong, Nagatenga, Namun, Noga tenga, Nonggang hei, Pezia, Saphai, Satsarila, Sizhanggleo, Soh-phi, Soh-phie-nam, Tatir, Telur chichak, Thanh mai

References (60)

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