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Myrsine africana
  • Cape Myrtle

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Myrsine africana has 0 edible uses listed
Myrsine africana has 0 material uses listed
Myrsine africana has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit[1][2]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and contains a single seed[3]. Two other reports say that the fruit is used as an anthelmintic[4][5]. The seed is used as an adulterant of pepper[2].

Unknown part

Condiment

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants are used for hedging in warm temperate zones[3]. The plant is used in technology[6]. This report gives no more details, we assume that it refers to the wood being used.

Unknown part

Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The fruit is used as an anthelmintic, especially in the treatment of tape worm[4][5][7]. It is also laxative and is used in the treatment of dropsy and colic[7]. The fruit contains 3% embelic acid and 1% quercitol, the seed contains 4.8% embelic acid and 1% quercitol[7]. These are the active ingredients that work as an anthelmintic[7].

A gum obtained from the plant is used as a warming remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea[7].

A decoction of the leaf is used as a blood purifier[7].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Blood purifier
Emmenagogue
Laxative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[8]. 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[8].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Myrsine africana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any well-drained fertile circum-neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade[3]. Dislikes shallow chalky soils[9]. Requires a sunny position according to another report[10].

This species only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[10]. 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[3]. Plants are very slow-growing[9]. The leaves are aromatic[10].

Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Myrsine africana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Myrsine africana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Myrsine africana
Genus
Myrsine
Family
Myrsinaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[4][5][7]
Material uses & Functions
[3][6]
Botanic
[11][12][3]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    0.75 x 0.75 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 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)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11
    12. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-109" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Myrsine africana"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyMyrsinaceae +
    Belongs to genusMyrsine +
    Functions asHedge +
    Has common nameCape Myrtle +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Fruit +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useWood +
    Has mature height0.75 +
    Has mature width0.75 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Blood purifier +, Emmenagogue + and Laxative +
    Has search namemyrsine africana + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameMyrsine africana +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +