Myrsine africana
L.
Cape Myrtle
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Lijin Huang (紫楝), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Lijin Huang (紫楝)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Felix Riegel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Felix Riegel
iNaturalist· cc-by-sa
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo
Description
Myrsine africana is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
Condiment. Fruit. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and contains a single seed. Two other reports say that the fruit is used as an anthelmintic. The seed is used as an adulterant of pepper.
Medicinal Uses
Anthelmintic Blood purifier Emmenagogue Laxative. The fruit is used as an anthelmintic, especially in the treatment of tape worm. It is also laxative and is used in the treatment of dropsy and colic. The fruit contains 3% embelic acid and 1% quercitol, the seed contains 4.8% embelic acid and 1% quercitol. These are the active ingredients that work as an anthelmintic. A gum obtained from the plant is used as a warming remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea. A decoction of the leaf is used as a blood purifier.
Distribution
N. Africa to E. Asia.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Yemen, Afghanistan, China (Gansu Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng) TROPICAL ASIA: India, Pakistan AFRICA: Portugal (Azores), Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia
Cultivation
Succeeds in any well-drained fertile circum-neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade. Dislikes shallow chalky soils. Requires a sunny position according to another report. This species only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country. Plants can tolerate several degrees of short-lived frost if they are growing in a well drained soil in a position sheltered from drying winds. Plants are very slow-growing. The leaves are aromatic. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation
Seed - sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a semi-shaded position 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3 - 6cm long with a heel in individual pots, July/August in a frame. Good percentage.
Other Uses
Hedge Hedge Wood. Plants are used for hedging in warm temperate zones. The plant is used in technology. This report gives no more details, we assume that it refers to the wood being used.
