Lake County Fact Sheet 2015004

Wax myrtle, Southern Bayberry

Myrica cerifera

General Information

Wax myrtle is a fast growing, small, evergreen tree that may be used as a hedge or specimen tree with multi-

ple twisted trunks and gray-blue, waxy berries on female plants. Root suckers can be a problem.

Propagation

Cuttings – Semi-hardwood stem tip cuttings taken in early summer and dipped in IBA Quick Dip 5000 ppm

can be rooted under intermittent mist. Problems with fungal diseases during rooting make propagation diffi-

cult.

Seed – Seeds are collected in the autumn, stratified at 40 F for 2-3 months and sown in the spring. Alterna-

tively, the seed can be sown in the fall and covered with ¼ inch mulch for natural stratification. Seed moisture

is essential. Germination should occur in 3-6 weeks.

Pests and Diseases

The current Insect Management Guide for Commercial Foliage and Woody Ornamentals can be found at

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG012. The current Professional Disease Management Guide for Ornamental Plants can

be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP123.

Eriophyid mites (bud mites)

Recognition: Leaf symptoms include leaf curling or folding, abnormal

shape or distortion, galls, discoloration or bronzing, russeting, blisters

and withering. These problems are caused by a microscopic worm-like

mite with only two pairs of legs. The symptoms can be confused with

symptoms of viruses or herbicide damage. Symptoms produced by

eriophyid mites may persist for several weeks after the mites have disap-

peared.

Contributing factors: unknown

Management recommendations: Most bud mite damage can be tolerat-

ed on wax myrtle. Eriophyid mites are host specific, so will not spread to

other plant species. For localized infestations, prune and dispose of infested plant parts. Only a few specific

miticides are effective against eriophyid mites.

Photo: Key Plants Key Pests.

Fusarium wilt Fusarium oxysporum Recognition: Loss of vigor, stunting, and curled, wilted and/or off-color foliage results from Fusarium wilt.

Individual branches or the whole plant may die. A distinctive brown-purple discoloration of the xylem can be

seen when looking at a cross section of the base of an infected stem.

Contributing factors: The fungus is soil-borne. Nematodes or root wounds may allow entry of the pathogen.

Photo: E.F. Gilman

Lake County Fact Sheet 2015004

The problem is concentrated in Central and South Florida.

Management recommendations: Minimize root damage during planting

and maintenance. Inspect all plants before accepting them for installation.

There is no treatment for infected plants and they will eventually die. Re-

move infected trees and replant with non-susceptible species. Soil fumi-

gation or replacement is necessary only if replanting with wax myrtle.

Photo: Florida Division of Plant Industry Archive, Florida Department of Agriculture

and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org. http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/

detail.cfm?imgnum=5372583.

Inonotus heartrot; Ptychogaster wood rot Inonotus rickii or Ptychogaster cubensis Recognition: External symptoms very similar to those caused by Fusarium,

i.e. loss of vigor and dieback. Additionally, sap exudation and bark staining

are diagnostic. Cinnamon brown, beard-like sporulating structures may be ev-

ident near wounds or branch stubs on the trunk. Branches may break easily.

Internally, the decay will be spongy, yellow-brown or red-brown, often

flecked with white streaks (mycelium), and bordered by a dark purplish zone

of stained xylem.

Contributing factors: This fungus spreads through air-borne spores which

enter the plant through wounds in the wood. It is associated most often with

manicured, heavily pruned wax myrtle but also occurs in natural stands.

Management recommendations: Prevention is based on sound maintenance

practices. Minimize pruning and other causes of bark injury. Do not prune

when sporulating structures are noticed in the area. Avoid planting infected

plants; plants dug from the wild may come from infected stands and should be

inspected carefully. There is no treatment for infected plants except removal and replacement. The fungus is

not soil borne.

Photo: J. Popenoe

Botryosphaeria canker and dieback Recognition: External symptoms include cankers, wilting and dieback of a

branch or branches of a tree or shrub. Dark streaks may be seen in the wood

under the bark. Cankers may be dark or sunken and may be surrounded by

wound callus. The fungi attack plant tissue through wounds, growth cracks,

leaf scars and lenticels. Under magnification, the small black fungal fruiting

bodies may be seen erupting through the bark. The fruiting bodies are white

inside when sliced open.

Contributing factors: This disease organism attacks stressed plants and is

spread by pruning, air movement and splashing water.

Management recommendations: There are no effective fungicide controls.

Prevention is the best defense. Keep plants

in optimum cultural conditions, avoid stress

and wounds, and maintain

sanitation.

Photos: J. Popenoe

Healthy Infected

Lake County Fact Sheet 2015004

Root knot nematodes Recognition: Nematodes impair the roots, causing poor growth, plant

decline and thinning of the foliage. Infested roots may be brown and

stunted and have obvious galls.

Contributing factors: Highest populations of nematodes occur in well

drained sandy soils where previous crops have supported populations.

Management recommendations: Keep plants as healthy as possible

with adequate water and fertilizer to support new roots. No chemical

controls are available for use on existing plants. When replacing plants,

remove all roots and replace soil. Avoid replanting with susceptible

species.

Photo: Key Plants Key Pests.

Sources:

1. Bush, E. Botryosphaeria Canker and Dieback of Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape. Virginia Cooperative

Extension. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/450/450-726/450-726.html. Accessed 8/28/15.

2. Foerste, E., C. Neal and C. White. 2004. Key Plants and Key Pests in Central Florida Landscapes. Universi-

ty of Florida/IFAS slide show.

3. Gilman, E.F. and D.G. Watson. 2014. Myrica cerifera: Southern Waxmyrtle. University of Florida/IFAS

Publication #ENH-569. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st410#FIGURE%201%20ST410. Accessed 8/28/15.

4. University of Florida Landscape Plant Propagation Information. http://hort.ufl.edu/lppi/

Prepared by:

Juanita Popenoe, PhD

Lake County Extension

1951 Woodlea Rd.

Tavares, FL 32778-4052

Tel.: (352) 343-4101

August 2015

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity—Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and

other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,

national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative

Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.

Photo: R. Levin