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Common Name: Cape Myrtle

General Information

Myrsine africana is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.75 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. Africa to E. Asia.

Habitat

Arid stony places and woodlands in W. China[]. Prefers shady places in the drier oak and rhododendron forests of the Himalayas to 2700 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any well-drained fertile circum-neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade[]. Dislikes shallow chalky soils[]. Requires a sunny position according to another report[].
This species only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[]. Plants can tolerate several degrees of short-lived frost if they are growing in a well drained soil in a position sheltered from drying winds[].
Plants are very slow-growing[].
The leaves are aromatic[].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and contains a single seed[]. Two other reports say that the fruit is used as an anthelmintic[, ].
The seed is used as an adulterant of pepper[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a semi-shaded position 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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3 - 6cm long with a heel in individual pots, mid summer in a frame. Good percentage[].