Northern Bayberry is a dense, fragrant shrub of coastal plain and sandy upland habitats along the Atlantic coast. Its waxy gray berries are coated with aromatic wax used in the production of bayberry candles. The berries are extremely rich in fat and are a critical stopover food for migrating yellow-rumped warblers, which are uniquely capable of digesting the wax.
Best time to see a Northern Bayberry
The best time to see a Northern Bayberry is May–September, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,323 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Northern Bayberry? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Northern Bayberry sightings near you
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