Common Name: Ramarama

General Information

Lophomyrtus bullata is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 6 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood.

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
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lophomyrtus bullata 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[, ].
Growth can be restricted by cutting the plant back in spring[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Pleasantly aromatic, they taste very much like a guava when they are fully ripe[, ]. Another report says that they are illflavoured though edible[].The fruit is a many-seeded berry about 10mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The leaves, combined with other (unnamed) leaves, are used to make a lotion to treat bruises[].

Other Uses

Poles made from this wood are highly prized by canoeists on on account of their toughness[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no 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.