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Summary

Physical Characteristics

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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[144]. Juicy and sweet but with an aroma that is not entirely pleasant[144, 193]. Some people find the fruit rather salty and bitter[154, 193]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[200]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on possible toxicity.

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

Fire retardant Hedge Hedge Wood

Plants can be grown as a hedge or screen, tolerating maritime exposure[157, 167]. The plant is fire resistant[167]. Wood - hard. Used in turnery and cabinet making[154].

Special Uses

Hedge Hedge

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in most soils[167]. Succeeds in dry soils[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure and salt spray[154, 157, 167]. This species is not very hardy in mainland Britain, it succeeds outdoors on the Scilly Isles[1] but usually requires greenhouse protection elsewhere[1]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157] 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. [154] gives M. serrata as a synonym of this species whilst [200] 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)[193].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales (southeast), South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia (south))

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Myoporum debile	Winter Apple	Shrub	1.0	8-11		LMH	N	DM	1	1
Myoporum deserti	Turkey Bush	Shrub	3.0	-		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Myoporum ellipticum			0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	0	0
Myoporum laetum	Ngaio, Ngaio tree, Mousehole Tree	Shrub	6.0	9-11	M	LMH	N	DM	1	1	3
Myoporum montanum	Water Bush	Shrub	2.0	8-11		LMH	N	DM	1	0	3
Myoporum platycarpum	Sugarwood	Shrub	8.0	8-11		LMH	N	DM	1	1	3
Myoporum tetrandrum	Boobialla	Shrub	5.0	8-11		LMH	N	DM	1	0	3

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.

Myoporum insulare - R.Br.