Myoporum debile - (Andrews.)R.Br.

(Andrews.)R.Br.

Winter Apple

Amaranthaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below

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Meise Botanic Garden

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Meise Botanic Garden

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Description

Myoporum debile is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Slightly bitter. A pleasantly salty-sweet flavour. The fruits are 6 - 8mm long. Caution is advised since the fruit probably contains a liver toxin.

Medicinal Uses

VDUsed in the treatment of V.D. by the Australian Aborigines.

Known Hazards

The fruit of this plant probably contains a liver toxin.

Distribution

Australia and New Zealand.

Where It Grows

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales (e. & c.), Queensland (east), Victoria (north-central))

Cultivation

Easily grown in most soils. Succeeds in dry soils. This species is not very hardy in mainland Britain, it succeeds outdoors on the Scilly Isles but usually requires greenhouse protection elsewhere.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in the autumn. Good percentage.