Myrica. a to g, Myrica cerifera. a. Branch with staminate flowers, b. Branch with pistillate flowers, c. Branch with fruit, d. Top of leaf. e. Underside of leaf. f. Staminate flowers, g. Fruit, h to q. Myrica heterophylla. h. Branch with staminate flowers, i. Branch with pistillate flowers, j. Branch with fruit, k. Top of leaf. 1. Underside of leaf. m. Cluster of staminate flowers, n. Cluster of pistillate flowers, o. Pistillate flowers, p. Pistil, q. Fruit. Drawn by Vivian Frazier. From Correll and Correll 1972.

ABSTRACT

I have been in the field when one of these flocks moved in, and the sound made me think there was a rain shower coming toward me. The sound resulted from a “shower” of

wax myrtle seeds passing through bird guts and raining down around me. They are impressive displays of birds dispersing the seeds of their food plants.