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Lophomyrtus - (Sol. ex Cunn.)Burret.

Common Name
Family Myrtaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coastal to montane forest, especially marginally, in North Island and occasionally in the north of South Island[44, 173].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Lophomyrtus


Lophomyrtus

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lophomyrtus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3 m (9ft).
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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Myrtus bullata.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[177]. They taste very much like a guava when they are fully ripe[173]. The fruit is a many-seeded berry about 10mm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any soil of reasonably good quality[1]. Prefers a sheltered position in full sun in a moderately fertile well-drained soil enriched with leafmould[200, 260]. Plants are scarcely hardy at Kew but they succeed outdoors in the milder parts of the country[11], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[260]. Growth can be restricted by cutting the plant back in spring[188].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse in late winter or early spring. 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a frame[200]. Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame[200]. Basal cuttings are used[200]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand (North Island, South Island)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lophomyrtus bullata Shrub5.0 8-11  LMHNM20 
Lophomyrtus x ralphii Shrub5.0 8-11  LMHNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Sol. ex Cunn.)Burret.

Botanical References

1144200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

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Subject : Lophomyrtus  
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