Ngaio

Profile

Family

Myoporaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

6 m

Spread

3 m

Growth

very fast

Lifespan

44 years

First yield

after 2 years

Hardiness

zone 10–12

Shade tolerance

light shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

very dry – moist

pH

5.5 – 8

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: The small fruits (drupes) are technically edible and can be used to make jams or jellies, but are tart in taste and not recommended for raw consumption in large quantities.

Medicinal: In traditional Māori medicine of New Zealand, extracts from the plant were used to treat various complaints, such as: dentistry, wound healing. The bark is used to treat ulcers.

Other uses: Insektenschutrz: Abkochung der Blätter, ergibt einen Sud, der vor Moskitos schützen soll; Wichtige Zierpflanze, schnellwachsender Sichtschutz, wind- und salztolerante Heckenpflanze für Küstenregionen.

Origin & habitat

Coastline and lowland forests