Myoporum laetum explained

Myoporum laetum, commonly known as ngaio (pronounced as /mi/) or mousehole tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to New Zealand. It is a fast growing shrub or small tree with lance-shaped leaves, the edges with small serrations, and white flowers with small purple spots and 4 stamens.

Description

Ngaio is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree that sometimes grows to a height of 10m (30feet) with a trunk up to 0.3m (01feet) in diameter, or spreads to as much as 4m (13feet). It often appears dome-shaped at first but as it gets older, distorts as branches break off. The bark on older specimens is thick, corky and furrowed. The leaves are lance-shaped, usually NaNmm long, NaNmm wide, have many translucent dots in the leaves and edges that have small serrations in approximately the outer half.[1] [2] [3]

The flowers are white with purple spots and are borne in groups of 2 to 6 on stalks NaNmm long. There are 5 egg-shaped, pointed sepals and 5 petals joined at their bases to form a bell-shaped tube NaNmm long. The petal lobes are NaNmm long making the flower diameter NaNmm. There are four stamens that extend slightly beyond the petal tube and the ovary is superior with 2 locules. Flowering occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer and is followed by the fruit which is a bright red drupe NaNmm long.

Taxonomy and naming

Myoporum laetum was first formally described in 1786 by Georg Forster in Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus.[4] The specific epithet (laetum) means "cheerful, pleasant or bright".[5]

Distribution and habitat

Ngaio grows very well in coastal areas of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. It grows in lowland forest, sometimes in pure stands, others in association with other species such as nikau (Rhopalostylis sapida).

Ecology

Myoporum laetum has been introduced to several other countries including Portugal, South Africa and Namibia. It is considered an invasive exotic species by the California Exotic Pest Plant Council.[6]

Uses

Indigenous use

The Māori would rub the leaves over their skin to repel mosquitoes and sandflies.[7]

Horticulture

Ngaio is a hardy plant that will grow in most soils but needs full sun. It can also tolerate exposure to salt spray.[8] It can be grown from seed or from semi-hard cuttings.

Toxicity

The leaves of this tree contain the liver toxin ngaione, which can cause sickness and or death in stock such as horses, cattle, sheep and pigs.[9]

Māori legend

See also: Man in the Moon. According to Māori legend,[10] a Ngaio tree can be seen on the Moon. Here is the story, as recounted by politician, historian, poet William Pember Reeves (1857–1932):

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Chinnock. R.J. (Bob). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae. 2007. Rosenberg. Dural, NSW. 9781877058165. 115–117. 1st.
  2. Web site: Myoporum laetum. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. 1 December 2015.
  3. Book: Dawson. John. Lucas. Rob. Nature guide to the New Zealand forest. 2000. Godwit. Auckland, N.Z.. 1869620550. 116. 2007.
  4. Book: Forster . Georg . Florulae insularum Australium :prodromus . 1786 . Gottingae . 44 . 22 November 2022.
  5. Book: . Botanical Latin. History, grammar, syntax, terminology and vocabulary . 1992 . Timber Press . Portland, Oregon . 4th. 438.
  6. Web site: Myoporum laetum. California Invasive Plant Council. 1 December 2015.
  7. Web site: Story: Sandflies and mosquitoes. Teara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 1 December 2015.
  8. Web site: Myoporum laetum. Plants for a Future. 1 December 2015.
  9. Encyclopaedia of Clinical Toxicology: A Comprehensive Guide and Reference, by Irving S. Rossoff
  10. Web site: Stories Of Old - Rona and the Moon. Maori.org.