De I. VNER VEW D Forest Trees of the Pacific Slope

FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 209
parts of the same tree and usually of the same branch, each at the base of a
previous year's leaf, the female clusters above the larger, longer male clusters.
The small, berry-like spherical fruit is ripened in autumn; several close
clusters of fruit may appear on leafless parts of the branch, the leaves of the
previous year, present when the flowers open, having fallen. The surface of
the berries is thickly coated with round grains of whitish waxy matter, which is
an exudation.
Though of no economic value on account of their small size, these shrubby
trees are of some importance in forming with other species a protective cover.
The western representative is likely to be especially useful for extension on
exposed coast sands and low hills, situations to which all ot the species are
particularly adapted.
The sole present importance of the genus is the production of the vegetable
wax of commerce, which is obtained from the berries of two eastern species.
Three tree species occur within the United States; two in the south Atlantic
States, adjacent islands, and Gulf coast regions, and one in the Pacific coast
country. A group of ancient origin, members of which once existed on this
continent in the Cretaceous period.
California Myrtle.
Myrica californica Chamisso.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS.
California myrtle, also called "bayberry ' and "wax myrtle," is mainly a
bushy tree, from 8 to 20 feet high, sometimes under 5 feet, and from 3 to 6
inches in diameter; only very rarely from 25 to 30 feet high and from 8 to 12
inches in diameter. Slender upright branches form a dense, narrow crown with
rounded top, exposing a short, smooth, thin-barked trunk, the bark grayish brown
externally and deep reddish brown within. The very dark green glossy leaves
(figs. 83, 84), light yellowish green beneath and with numerous minute black
specks, are thin but tough in texture. The extreme edges of the leaves are
slightly curled toward the under surface. A slight aromatic odor is perceptible
from the leaves. As a rule, the female flowers appear on the upper part of a
branch, below which the larger, longer clusters of male flowers are borne on a
separate portion of the branch. Occasionally anomalous flower clusters, with
both male and female flowers, occur between the upper and lower regular singlesex
flowers, and some trees bear only, or mainly, male flowers. The clusters of
berry-like nuts (fig. 84), maturing in September. are ashy white, the wax covering
of the berries, however, concealing the dull purple color beneath. The
shells of the nuts are very thick and hard. Commonly some of the berries
remain on the branches until spring, but most of them fall during winter.
Wood, pale rose-red, heavy, hard, and stiff, the whitish sapwood being comparatively
thick. Of no economic value, but deserving protection and extension
as a cover in the vicinity of the sea.
LoNGEVITY.-Little is known concerning the longevity of this tree, which may
possibly reach an age of 100 years. Trees from 6 to 10 inches in diameter are
from 25 to 40 years old.
RANGE.
Pacific Coast region from Puget Sound, Washington, to near Santa Monica, Cal., never
far from the sea.