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Useful Temperate Plants

Myrsine australis

(A.Rich.)Allan.

Primulaceae


The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

+ Synonyms

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Myrsine australis is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

44
Title
Flora of New Zealand.
Publication
 
Author
Allan. H. H.
Website
http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml
Publisher
Government Printer, Wellington.
Year
1961
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version.

Range

New Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands.

Habitat

Lowland to montane forest, especially marginal, and shrubland from sea level to 900 metres[
44
Title
Flora of New Zealand.
Publication
 
Author
Allan. H. H.
Website
http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml
Publisher
Government Printer, Wellington.
Year
1961
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version.
,
290
Title
Trees for Survival
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/resources.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site, giving fairly comprehensive information on a small number of native New Zealand trees.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height6.00 m
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. Judging by its native range, however, it is likely to succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas, especially if seed can be obtained from plants growing at higher elevations[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The following notes are based on the general needs of this genus.
Succeeds in any well-drained fertile circum-neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Dislikes shallow chalky soils[
188
Title
The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Brickell. C.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
Year
1990
ISBN
0-86318-386-7
Description
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
]. Requires a sunny position according to another report[
182
Title
Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1992
ISBN
0-7195-5043-2
Description
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[
182
Title
Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1992
ISBN
0-7195-5043-2
Description
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The Maori boiled the leaves of this plant to make an infusion (tea) for toothache[
290
Title
Trees for Survival
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/resources.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site, giving fairly comprehensive information on a small number of native New Zealand trees.
]. They also used the leaves asa relief for arthritic problems, as a remedy for skin disease, intestinal worms and as a general tonic[
290
Title
Trees for Survival
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/resources.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site, giving fairly comprehensive information on a small number of native New Zealand trees.
].

Other Uses

This species is a good shelter plant in its native New Zealand[
290
Title
Trees for Survival
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/resources.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site, giving fairly comprehensive information on a small number of native New Zealand trees.
]. It is also a good primary colonising plant on bare sites - it is able to get itself established and provide shelter for more sensitive plants put in later on[
290
Title
Trees for Survival
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/resources.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site, giving fairly comprehensive information on a small number of native New Zealand trees.
].
The branch wood was used for digging sticks and adze handle sockets[
290
Title
Trees for Survival
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/resources.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site, giving fairly comprehensive information on a small number of native New Zealand trees.
].
In European times the hard timber has been used for building, although its most popular use has probably been for firewood[
290
Title
Trees for Survival
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tfsnz.org.nz/resources.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site, giving fairly comprehensive information on a small number of native New Zealand trees.
].

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[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
]. 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[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Myrsine+australis>

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