Family Index

Scientific Name

Myoporum insulare

Family Name

MYOPORACEAE

Common Name

Common Boobialla

Status

Height

3-6m

Flowers

Small, 5-petalled flowers, white spotted with purple, 7mm wide and occurring in the leaf axils. Produces purple to black succulent fruits about 8mm wide.

Fruit

Berries or drupes

Form

Tall woody shrub or small tree. Leaves thick, elliptical and pointed, slightly toothed towards tips, 3-9cm long.

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Circular Head; Clarence; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Hobart; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Sorell; Tasman; West Tamar

Communities

Habitat Notes

Common on sandy coasts.

Site Tolerance

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

General Notes

Propagate from fresh seed or cuttings. Suitable as a hedge or screening plant, especially in sandy soil and other well-drained positions, resistant to salt spray. Tolerates salt winds and dry conditions. The fruits are salty-sweet and edible. Not suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Difficult to grow from seed. Use fresh seed, cover with 2-3mm of seed raising mix and place 4mm of gravel over surface. Place the trays in an open position and provide shade on hot days.

Seed Treatment Method

Soaking

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Remove flesh from fruit and soak overnight in warm water before sowing.

Germination Time

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Yes

Cutting Notes

Cuttings are easy to strike, and usually take within a fortnight. Can be struck in a glass jar of water, placed in a well-lit position. Change the water once a week. Take care when potting out, as formed roots tend to be soft. Keep the potted plants in the shade for 3-4 weeks before planting out.