Myoporum species are popular in horticulture and also important bush foods or medicinal plants to Aboriginal people in both coastal and inland areas. The Myoporum genus consists of 30 species, most of which are endemic to Australia.
The most often cultivated in horticulture are endemic to Australia: Myoporum parvifolium, M. floribundum and M. bateae. Myoporum parvifolium, Creeping Boobialla, is used as a groundcover that is drought tolerant and fuss-free. What has always struck me about this plant in horticulture is its incredible resistance to drought and salt spray, all while looking unfussed, fresh and green!
Myoporum floribundum, also called Weeping Myoporum, is a shrub that has distinct weeping long and thin leaves with profuse small white flowers along their stem. And M. bateae is a pyramidal shrub up to about 20 ft. with a sweet smell.
Myoporum insulare, also called Common Boobialla or Blueberry Tree, is endemic to Australia, and is used as a fast-growing hedge or windbreak that can handle coastal winds and drought. It produces a purple fruit that has been important bush tucker (food) for Aboriginal populations.
Myoporum montanum is prized by the Aboriginal people of Australia for its medicinal applications, and one scientific investigation analyzed the leaf compounds and found it to have significant antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus epidermidis, E. faecalis, and Moraxella catarrhalis. M. platycarpum, on the other hand, produced a resin that was used for attaching arrowheads and M. sandwichense has been used as a substitute for sandalwood.
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Photo by Margaret Donald from Sydney, Australia