Practical
Plants

Myrsine africana

Cape Myrtle

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Myrsine genus in the family Myrsinaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Myrsine
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
0.75 m
Spread
0.75 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit[1][6]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and contains a single seed[9]. Two other reports say that the fruit is used as an anthelmintic[4][5]. The seed is used as an adulterant of pepper[6].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruit is used as an anthelmintic, especially in the treatment of tape worm[4][5][10]. It is also laxative and is used in the treatment of dropsy and colic[10]. The fruit contains 3% embelic acid and 1% quercitol, the seed contains 4.8% embelic acid and 1% quercitol[10]. These are the active ingredients that work as an anthelmintic[10]. A gum obtained from the plant is used as a warming remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea[10]. A decoction of the leaf is used as a blood purifier[10].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Laxative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants are used for hedging in warm temperate zones[9]. The plant is used in technology[3]. This report gives no more details, we assume that it refers to the wood being used.

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
N. Africa to E. Asia.
Habitat
Arid stony places and woodlands in W. China[2]. Prefers shady places in the drier oak and rhododendron forests of the Himalayas to 2700 metres[4][5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[11]. 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[11].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any well-drained fertile circum-neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade[9]. Dislikes shallow chalky soils[8]. Requires a sunny position according to another report[7]. This species only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[7]. 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[9]. Plants are very slow-growing[8]. The leaves are aromatic[7]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[7].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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