bayberry
, bay1. any of several North American aromatic shrubs or small trees of the genus Myrica, that bear grey waxy berries: family Myricaceae
2. a tropical American myrtaceous tree, Pimenta racemosa, that yields an oil used in making bay rum
3. the fruit of any of these plants
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
bayberry
bayberry
Many types. Small tree/ Bush up to 12 ft.(4m) Thin oval waxy pointy leaves with hairy fruits (when young) that become wax-coated balls that cluster along the branch. Depending on type, fruit color can be blue, purple, black, red, white, green. Leaves fan out like helicopter blades. Wax used for candles, but not edible. Stays green year round. Leaves, roots and bark are used for increasing vitality of the whole body, improving circulation, gas, bowel and liver problems, ulcers, colds, illness, astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-bacterial, immune booster. Leaves used for seasoning like bay leaves. Berries edible, can be ground like pepper. Smell of the leaves keeps mosquitos away. Tea used as vaginal douche for infections, gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis.
Edible Plant Guide © 2012 Markus Rothkranz
bayberry
[′bā‚ber·ē] (botany)
Pimenta acris. A West Indian tree related to the allspice; a source of bay oil. Also known as bay-rum tree; Jamaica bayberry; wild cinnamon.
Any tree of the genus Myrica.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.