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Common Name: Boobialla

General Information

Myoporum tetrandrum is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 5.00 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 - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria.

Habitat

By the coast in basalt, silurian and red sand areas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in most soils[]. Succeeds in dry soils[]. Resists maritime exposure[].
This species is not very hardy in mainland Britain, it succeeds outdoors on the Scilly Isles but usually requires greenhouse protection elsewhere.
A polymorphic species[].
Planted for shelter in Portugal, especially by the coast, and it is locally naturalized there[].
There is some confusion over this name. Most of the entries on this record were listed under M. serratum, which is listed here as a synonym of this species. However, [] says that M. serratum is a synonym of M. insulare, which has been treated here as a separate and distinct species.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. The fruit is about 4 - 6mm in diameter[]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on possible toxicity.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Plants can be used right on the coast as a protective screen from maritime winds, the roots also help to check coastal erosion[].

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[].