Myoporum insulare
Boobyalla
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Myoporum genus in the family Myoporaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Myoporaceae
- Genus
- Myoporum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[6].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. Juicy and sweet but with an aroma that is not entirely pleasant[2][7]. Some people find the fruit rather salty and bitter[3][7]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[8]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on possible toxicity.
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be grown as a hedge or screen, tolerating maritime exposure[4][5]. The plant is fire resistant[5]. Wood - hard. Used in turnery and cabinet making[3].
- Product or use
- Fire retardant
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in most soils[5]. Succeeds in dry soils[8]. Tolerates maritime exposure and salt spray[3][4][5]. 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[4] 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. [3] gives M. serrata as a synonym of this species whilst [8] 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)[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4
Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0
Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00