Tasmanian ngaio
Botanical Name
Myoporum insulare
Family
Myoporaceae (myoporum)
Also known as
Australian ngaio, boobialla
Where is it originally from?
Tasmania, Australia
What does it look like?
Large smooth-barked shrub or small tree with numerous branches from the base forming a dense rounded bushy shape. Leaf buds are green and sticky when fresh, and leaves (to 12 x 3 cm) are thick (semi succulent), finely dotted with glands and serrated towards the ends. White 5-petalled flowers (7-8mm diameter) with fine purple dots (Sep-Jun) are tubular at the base, and the deep purple fruit is slightly longer than wide (6 mm diameter).
Are there any similar species?
New Zealand ngaio (Myoporum laetum) and Kermadec ngaio (M. kermadecense) both have rough furrowed bark.
Why is it weedy?
Hybridizes and competes with New Zealand's native ngaio.
How does it spread?
Seed, or commonly planted, as mistaken for New Zealand ngaio.
What damage does it do?
Hybridized plants spread by seed and compete with New Zealand ngaio in coastal areas.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Coastal areas, sandy sites behind beaches.
What can I do to get rid of it?
Grub out seedlings and small plants (all year round).
