Myoporum insulare
R.Br.
Boobyalla
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(c) Tamara Leitch, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Tamara Leitch
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(c) Neil Tucker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Neil Tucker
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(c) Geoffrey Cox, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Geoffrey Cox
Description
Myoporum insulare is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. Juicy and sweet but with an aroma that is not entirely pleasant. Some people find the fruit rather salty and bitter. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter. Some caution is advised, see notes above on possible toxicity.
Known Hazards
Although no records of toxicity have been found for this species, the fruits of at least some members of this genus are known to contain liver toxins and can be harmful in large quantities.
Distribution
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia.
Where It Grows
AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales (southeast), South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia (south))
Cultivation
Easily grown in most soils. Succeeds in dry soils. Tolerates maritime exposure and salt spray. This species is not very hardy in mainland Britain, it succeeds outdoors on the Scilly Isles but usually requires greenhouse protection elsewhere. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. There is some confusion over this name. gives M. serrata as a synonym of this species whilst says that M. serrata is a synonym of M. tetrandrum. We have followed this last treatment. Closely related to M. ellipticum and M. montanum (Syn M. acuminatum).
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.
Other Uses
Fire retardant Hedge Hedge Wood. Plants can be grown as a hedge or screen, tolerating maritime exposure. The plant is fire resistant. Wood - hard. Used in turnery and cabinet making.
