Eat The Weeds: Episode 98: Wax Myrtle

[@tonyad.]

I have looked all over for the name of this plant. everyone called it a fleaweed plant. They used to put under there raised houses to keep away bugs.

[@TheDevine22]

Also Dean, I would like to say in my experience, because they are Everywhere here in the south, wetlands. That the wood is very brittle. If they get larger than a bush, and the wind gets up you will be doing some landscaping

[@EatTheWeeds]

Oh my... there are dozens of edibles this time of year. The easiest thing to do is go to my website and type ' newsletter ' into the search window. This is because almost all of the weekly newsletters talk about what we are foraging for now.

[@feralkevin]

Another great video. I have made beer with the leaves M. californica, and it also grows amongst pines often and the wetter forests. I originally learned about this plant because it's allegedly a nitrogen fixing plant.

[@TheDevine22]

Dean, I have been watching your vid's trying to build a permaculture, wild food forest in my little space of earth before I perish. I would like you to include how invasive, thorny, and what zones these plants grow in, in your information. I have learned a lot from your vid's. thank you

[@the0prynce]

This was great! My city is named for this shrub and I'm all about wild edibles, but you've just expanded my mind! Thanks!

[@plankrdjack]

hey green, i live i conway SC, near myrtle beach... im so glad you made this! they grow crazy here in my own back yard! They smell so good, and everybody here says there not good for cooking. they call it carolina bay tree... i bet its good, i love bay leaves... i`ve also discovered some maypop! good jam!!!

[@mickieb946]

been looking for info on this plant. thank goodness old videos never die! Along the carolina coast it is called "sweet merkle" and is considered slightly invasive. Now I know where the 'merkle' part comes from!

[@bobbyharper8710]

In pasture and range classes we called it "Low bush Mercury"

[@EatTheWeeds]

@Linward Digging up little ones is the quickest way. They transplant easily. Or, collect some seeds in the late summer/fall. They need no tending and can tolerated a good amount of drought once established.

[@KawakebAstra]

Super .. great info .. Thx GD.. U look cool 😎 in hat

[@saucywench9122]

Yup, just subbed. Keep them coming!

[@HungryHillboy]

Great Video! one of my favorite plants. Is the information for the northern bayberry the same as the southern variety?

[@700eyesonly007]

As always interesting and educational, thanks GreenDeane! btw, my "thistle" looking weed is going crazy, it is almost 6 feet tall, I will send an updated picture to see if you can help, soon.

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

You are in my neck of the woods. I never knew there was anything edible on the Wax Myrtle. Interesting.

[@WickedOneVA]

You my friend seem like one cool dude - I just bought some wax myrtles and am hoping they will serve as somewhat of a privacy hedge. Wish me luck!

[@debrajohnson8030]

They are very pretty I would love to try these!!

[@TOKEN511]

I have this wild in my backyard! Seriously great video. Fight infection! Insect repellent! Shaving Cream? Wine? Meat spice! Oh, and I live near plankrdjack. What are the odds. lol

[@matechik4]

I use them when I smoke mullet.

[@CarrieGerenScogginsOfficial]

Is this a coastal wax myrtle, looks like smaller leaves than what I thought that it had. BTW, glad I found your videos, I definitely remember your books, still have it, but admit I like videos better, can see the plant. I also have used the Audubon Society books, photos in those as well, can't be too careful. My Cherokee grandmother taught me quite a bit, basic info about more common used plants such as narrow dock, but am interested in all of them that are useful. I see lots of misinformation, so liked your book, and look forward to seeing your videos.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@lunarrn Ah...which beer? (The one I wish I had with me... it was a HOT day when I made that video.)

[@EatTheWeeds]

@WickedOneVA They can make an excellent hedge and grow quickly as well.

[@hippieman2754]

tell me more about the smoking side of it ... dry it out first or smoke it when it's green

[@kryptiea]

I want to grow one now!!

[@aandjwynn]

Great detail thanks!

[@EatTheWeeds]

Great. Just make sure it's the right tree. While the berries are edible they are so strong they make a better spice.

[@harvestblades]

I am spending the next month primarily in the Leesburg, FL area. Do have have any recommendations on good edibles here in "the dead of winter" other than fern, palmetto, and cabbage palm and wax myrtle?

[@ramthian]

Very useful!. Thanks 🙏

[@lunarrn]

@EatTheWeeds At 4:15 you say, "speaking of alcohol, these leaves have been used in making ? fulmon ? beer." I have a yard full of wax myrtles and am tired of hops. I would rather make beer with something in my yard.

[@thetacountry4487]

lunarrn It’s been 8 years, I don’t think he’s goddna answer 🤔

[@EatTheWeeds]

@ScottfromTexas Yep, it makes bubbles

[@EatTheWeeds]

The leaves and fruit of the M. pennsylvanica and M. gale can be used the same way.

[@MadBadVoodo]

Five Stars!!

[@Taycro94]

why is your sleeping pad pink

[@LeonRFpoa]

Hey Green Deane, you know where to find any bodark trees?

[@mermaidsatheart8820]

I’ve been exploring my backyard and I found a one

[@EatTheWeeds]

@LeonRFpoa One does grow in FLorida, but usually one finds them in the Ohio area.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Thanks... I tell ya, it was a hot day....

[@GunPowderReign]

have you got a garden of wild edible plants ,,i live in arkansas

[@mininaturalfarm]

The fruits look like those of Oregon grapes. Can you describe their taste a bit more? Are they sweet or very soar?

[@chad7148]

Love Lies Bleeding Mini Natural Farm They're sorta tangy with a perfumy after taste

[@lunarrn]

How do you spell that beer? Fulmon, fulmun? Thanks

[@paulpellicci]

happy 98

[@EatTheWeeds]

It's red, and I had to carry it into the swamp to make the video, along with the pepper mill et cetera.

[@donttreadonme9170]

anyone know where i can buy one?

[@EatTheWeeds]

Dont Tread on Me They are everywhere, we used to just dig them up. However, native nurseries have them as do some box stores.

[@johnnyfoo8737]

Are you still around Dean?

[@greendeane1]

Yes, still teaching, still writing a weekly foraging newsletter.

[@johnnyfoo8737]

@@greendeane1 Super You are probably very busy but it would be nice if you could update your older videos in HD. I looked you up cause I never forgot the one about the wax myrtle. I plan on adding them to my farm

[@fpsfreak4079]

this better than indian hawthorn?

[@CSWRB]

Very invasive.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Young ones transplant easily....

[@EatTheWeeds]

... myrica beer....got to put my imaginary taste buds around that for a moment....why not... aint alcohol great? One can probably make wine out of everything...except the cat...

[@masondonahue4773]

He looks different with sunglasses

[@Taycro94]

you probably just used ut as an example

[@sulebo2153]

geez - my first time in this channel. I hope you've improved your video skills - you made me dizzy spinning that camera around. I lasted about 1 minute

[@masondonahue4773]

He looks different with sunglasses