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Myoporum platycarpum - R.Br.

Common Name Sugarwood
Family Myoporaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
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[173].
Habitats Dry areas[144] on loamy and clayey soils[152]. Usually found in poor limey soils[167].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Myoporum platycarpum Sugarwood


Myoporum platycarpum Sugarwood

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Myoporum platycarpum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 8 m (26ft) by 8 m (26ft).
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 and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Manna
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[46, 61]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on possible toxicity. A sweet manna exudes from the stems[46, 154, 156, 167]. It is a popular local delicacy[61, 144]. The manna cannot be induced to flow by wounding the stem[144].

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.
Laxative

Laxative[152].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Adhesive  Resin  Wood

The manna obtained from the stems can be used as an adhesive cement[167]. The plant yields a resin[154, 156]. No more details are given, though these reports could be referring to the manna. Wood - perfumed. Used for veneers and cabinet making, it is a sandalwood substitute[154, 156, 167]. Wood hard and dense, yellow and streaked brown with small black features. It smells of sugar when it is worked. An excellent shade, shelter or screening plant for dry areas. Its foliage is palatable to stock and is often grazed.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A hardy and attractive plant. Occurs in mallee communities but on many different soil types, mostly alkaline, sand to loam and is extremely hardy and frost tolerant. In some areas it can be the dominant tree in the landscape and on well drained deeper soils could reach 10 metres in height.

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

False sandlewood. Ngural.

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland (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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Myoporum debileWinter AppleShrub1.0 8-11  LMHNDM11 
Myoporum desertiTurkey BushShrub3.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Myoporum ellipticum  0.0 -  LMHSNM00 
Myoporum insulareBoobyallaShrub3.0 8-11  LMHNDM103
Myoporum laetumNgaio, Ngaio tree, Mousehole TreeShrub6.0 9-11 MLMHNDM113
Myoporum montanumWater BushShrub2.0 8-11  LMHNDM103
Myoporum tetrandrumBoobiallaShrub5.0 8-11  LMHNDM103

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

R.Br.

Botanical References

154

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Preston   Mon Dec 1 2008

This herb is also known by the names: sugarwood, dogwood-tree and sandalwood. Sandalwood resin was used by the Aboriginals as a substitute for pitch or wax.

Herb COOP Herbal Cooperative

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