Myrica Rubra
Also known as: Chinese Strawberry, Japanese Bayberry, Yumberry, Waxberry

Here is a subtropical tree grown for its sweet, crimson to dark purple-red, edible fruit. It is native to eastern Asia, mainly in China, where it has been grown for at least 2000 years. Chinese cultivation is concentrated south of the Yangtze River, where it is of considerable economic importance. It’s so popular there that about twice as many acres are devoted to growing it as the number devoted to apple orchards in the United States. Its niche is forests on mountain slopes and valleys at altitudes of 100-1500 m.
It is a small to medium sized evergreen tree growing up to 33–66 ft high, with smooth gray bark and a uniform spherical to hemispherical crown. It is dioecious, with separate male and female plants.

The fruit is spherical, 1.5–2.5 cm (0.59–0.98 in) in diameter, with a knobby surface. The surface color is typically a deep, brilliant red, but may vary from white to purple. The flesh color is similar to surface color, or somewhat lighter. The flesh and juice is sweet and very tart like a lighter version of pomegranate or mulberry. It is processed as a dried, sweetened and salted snack, canned, and even fermented into beverages. At the center of each fruit is a single seed with a diameter about half that of the whole fruit, much like a cherry pit and is slow to germinate. Cold stratify for 90 days may be recommended.

It can thrive in tough growing environments from the arctic to windswept coastal and volcanic landscapes. Their resilience is due in part to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. It tolerates poor acidic soils and prefers full sun and good drainage. USDA zone 9-11.
*Not to be confused with the Arbutus genus.

This offer is for 8 seeds.

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