wax myrtle

noun

1. an aromatic shrub, Myrica cerifera, of the southeastern U.S., bearing small berries coated with wax that is sometimes used in making candles.

wax myrtle

noun

1. a shrub, Myrica cerifera, of SE North America, having evergreen leaves and a small berry-like fruit with a waxy coating: family Myricaceae Also calledbayberrycandleberrywaxberry

Word History and Origins

Origin of wax myrtle¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Bayberry-tallow is greenish in color, and is obtained by boiling the berries of the bayberry, or wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera).

From Project Gutenberg

The bayberry shrub is also called wax myrtle and it is easy to see why, when you find the berries in October.

From Project Gutenberg

Before the Revolution a favorite candle for burning at fine houses was made of the wax-myrtle berry.

From Project Gutenberg