Lophomyrtus bullata

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Lophomyrtus bullata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3 m (9ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

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

New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. They taste very much like a guava when they are fully ripe. The fruit is a many-seeded berry about 10mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

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. 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.

Propagating it: 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, July/August in sand in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame. Basal cuttings are used. Layering.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Myrtus bullata.