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Common Name: Boobyalla

General Information

Myoporum insulare is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

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[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia.

Habitat

Seashores and inland areas[]. Found on dunes, headlands, estuaries and mangrove fringes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in most soils[]. Succeeds in dry soils[]. Tolerates maritime exposure and salt spray[, , ].
This species is not very hardy in mainland Britain, it succeeds outdoors on the Scilly Isles[] but usually requires greenhouse protection elsewhere[]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[] 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. [] gives M. serrata as a synonym of this species whilst [] 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)[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Juicy and sweet but with an aroma that is not entirely pleasant[, ]. Some people find the fruit rather salty and bitter[, ]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on possible toxicity.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Plants can be grown as a hedge or screen, tolerating maritime exposure[, ].
The plant is fire resistant[].
Wood - hard. Used in turnery and cabinet making[].

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, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in the autumn. Good percentage[].