Myoporum laetum

G.Forst.

Ngaio, Ngaio tree, Mousehole Tree

Amaranthaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 10,947 iNaturalist observations

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Description

Myoporum laetum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline 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. The fruit is about 6 - 9mm in diameter. Some caution is advised, see notes above on possible toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Odontalgic Vulnerary. Odontalgic, vulnerary. The bark is used to treat ulcers.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain a liver toxin.

Distribution

New Zealand. Hawaii. California. Australia

Where It Grows

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand (Chatham Islands Territory, North Island, South Island)

Cultivation

Easily grown in most soils so long as they are well-drained. Succeeds in dry soils and in poor soils. Very resistant to 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 flower freely in Cornish gardens. Plants do not tolerate temperatures below 0°c. The leaves emit a resinous smell when bruised. The flowers are also fragrant. Myoporum thrips or naio thrips (Klambothrips myopori) have been documented from California, Hawaii and Tasmania were they are linked to extensive damage of landscape and nursery stock of Myoporum laetum. Many thrips species are pests of commercially important crops. Thrips have caused high levels of mortality in ornamental Myoporum species used for landscaping in residential areas, parks and along road margins. In Hawaii it is attacking the native Myoporum sandwicense, locally known as naio.

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.