Desert boobialla, Native myrtle, Water Bush
Myoporum tenuifolium

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

A medium sized shrub. It grows 3-4 m tall. It can spread 2-3 m wide. It can be larger. The bark is deeply cracked. The leaves are 1.5-10 cm long by 0.6-3.5 cm wide. They are alternate. The leaves are sword shaped. They taper to a fine point. The flowers are small and bell shaped. They are white spotted with purple. They are about 8 mm long. The fruit are 0.4-0.8 cm across. The fruit are red. They can be bitter, salty or sweet. The fruit are wrinkled.

There are 30-35 Myoporum species. Also put in the family Myoporaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical to warm temperate plant and will grow in semi-arid regions. It grows in open woodland and near the seaside in dry areas. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It can stand light frosts. It can be in mangroves along tidal creeks. Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), New Guinea

How it is used for food

The small ripe fruit are eaten and are salty-sweet.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from treated seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Andreusia glabra Vent.; Citharexylum perforatum G. Forst.; Myoporum acuminatum R. Br.; and others See Myoporum montanum;