This species is a naturally occurring hybrid, its hybrid formula is Lophomyrtus bullata × Lophomyrtus obcordata.

Common Name:

General Information

Lophomyrtus x ralphii is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 5 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. There are several forms with variegated leaves that are grown for their ornamental value.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

New Zealand - North and South Islands.

Habitat

Coastal to montane forest, especially marginally, in North Island and occasionally in the north of South Island[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lophomyrtus x ralphii is not a very cold-hardy species, tolerating short periods with temperatures falling to about -5°c[]. It can only be grown outdoors in the milder parts of the temperate zone[].
Succeeds in any soil of reasonably good quality[]. Prefers a sheltered position in full sun in a moderately fertile well-drained soil enriched with leafmould[, ].
A naturally occurring hybrid of Lophomyrtus bullata x Lophomyrtus obcordata[].
Plants are scarcely hardy at Kew but they succeed outdoors in the milder parts of the country[], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[].
Growth can be restricted by cutting the plant back in spring[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. They are sweet and pleasant with a slightly aromatic flavour when they are fully ripe[]. The fruit is berry about 7mm in diameter containing a number of small but very hard seeds[]. We have seen plants of the cultivar 'Sundae' still bearing fruit in the early spring.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - a hybrid species, so it will not breed true from seed. We have no specific information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse in late winter or early spring. 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in sand in a frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame[]. Basal cuttings are used[].
Layering.