Ngaio, New Zealand mousehole tree
Myoporum laetum
Family: Scrophulariaceae
What it is like
A large shrub or small tree. It grows 4.5-9 m high. The leaves are bright green and fleshy. They are 8-10 cm long. The leaves are sword shaped or oblong and have sticky shoot tips. The flowers are bell-shaped and white with purple spots. The fruit are deep red. They are juicy when ripe. They are 5-7 mm across.
It has been used in medicine. Also put in the family Myoporaceae.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It is native to New Zealand. It grows on exposed sites. It can tolerate windy conditions. It can grow in poor soils. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Australia, Chile, Mediterranean, New Zealand (country/location of origin), South America, Uruguay
How it is used for food
Caution: The fruit and leaves contain a liver toxin.
Edible parts
Fruit, caution, poisonous