3-59 Myricaceae, bayberry family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, bayberry family, dicots, Myrica, Comptonia, Morella, gale, bayberry, sweetfern

Abstract

The 50 species of small trees and shrubs comprising the bayberries are all aromatic and wind-pollinated. Catkins are unisexual, comprising numerous tiny flowers. Flowers lack a perianth and often arise in axils of leafy bracts. Staminate catkins have flowers with 2–8 stamens. The ovaries each have a pair of carpels with two styles connate at the base. Fruit may be an achene, drupe or small nut. Simple leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. Distally, their margins may have a few teeth. Lower leaf surfaces are covered with shining resin dots. Our three species are low, freely-branching shrubs that bear nodulated roots. These house nitrogen-fixing actinomycetes. Photographs provided by Marian Munro, Ross Hall, Sean Blaney and David Mazerolle.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor