Question: I moved into a new house about a year ago. There’s a mix of old plantings - some are native …
-
Question
I moved into a new house about a year ago. There’s a mix of old plantings - some are native (clathrate) and some not (burning bush). The shrub pictured here is at at the edge of the driveway. I don’t remember flowers last year. No berries. The old leaves have a slightly spicy, scent when rubbed. Not quite bay, not quite piney resin. It retained some leaves over the winter but most dropped. Current height ranges from 2-5 ft. I want to make sure it is not invasive. Thanks!
Answer
Dear mburch, good morning. You have photographed Morella caroliniensis (small bayberry). If you look with magnification, the leaf blades with be dotted with tiny, yellow resin-glands. This is a staminate (pollen-bearing) individual. Best wishes.
