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Myrsine africana - L.

Common Name Cape Myrtle
Family Myrsinaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Arid stony places and woodlands in W. China[109]. Prefers shady places in the drier oak and rhododendron forests of the Himalayas to 2700 metres[146, 158].
Range N. Africa to E. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Myrsine africana Cape Myrtle


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Myrsine_africana_143-8712.jpg
Myrsine africana Cape Myrtle
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cillas

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Myrsine africana is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. retusa.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Condiment

Fruit[105, 177]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and contains a single seed[200]. Two other reports say that the fruit is used as an anthelmintic[146, 158]. The seed is used as an adulterant of pepper[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anthelmintic  Blood purifier  Emmenagogue  Laxative

The fruit is used as an anthelmintic, especially in the treatment of tape worm[146, 158, 240]. It is also laxative and is used in the treatment of dropsy and colic[240]. The fruit contains 3% embelic acid and 1% quercitol, the seed contains 4.8% embelic acid and 1% quercitol[240]. These are the active ingredients that work as an anthelmintic[240]. A gum obtained from the plant is used as a warming remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea[240]. A decoction of the leaf is used as a blood purifier[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Wood

Plants are used for hedging in warm temperate zones[200]. The plant is used in technology[145]. This report gives no more details, we assume that it refers to the wood being used.

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained fertile circum-neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade[200]. Dislikes shallow chalky soils[188]. Requires a sunny position according to another report[182]. This species only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[182]. Plants can tolerate several degrees of short-lived frost if they are growing in a well drained soil in a position sheltered from drying winds[200]. Plants are very slow-growing[188]. The leaves are aromatic[182]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[182].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a semi-shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter[78]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3 - 6cm long with a heel in individual pots, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Myrsine semiserrata Shrub4.0 - SLMHSNM122

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1150200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Manny Minissale   Sun Jun 17 2007

When is the best time if at all to transplant cape myrtle, our's is 2 years old and has been in same location. Is it usual for the tree to drop leaves and go dormant? The web page you have is the most informative I have found,but I can't find anything related to my questions Thanks

Christine Utzon   Fri Jul 10 2009

how can I take care of a new smal myrsine cape murtle? what is the best place in a appartment? how much water and did this plant need?

david (volunteer)   Sat Jul 11 2009

Christine, Myrsine africana is not fussy about soil types but does not like it dry, so don't let soil dry out for long, but don't keep it water-logged either. It will need some sun so by a window, It's possible just floresent lights in an apartment will be adequate, probably not. There's always info on raising each plant under "Cultivation details" (see above).

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