Myoporum wilderi

Myoporum wilderi, commonly known as Cook Islands myoporum or ngaio, is a plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to the islands of Mangaia and Mitiaro in the Cook Islands. It is similar to Myoporum stokesii and Myoporum rimatarense which grow on other Pacific Islands. On the island of Raratonga it is used to add a scent to coconut oil.

Myoporum wilderi flower detail

Cook Islands myoporum
Myoporum wilderi on Mangaia in the Cook Islands
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Myoporum
Species:
M. wilderi
Binomial name
Myoporum wilderi

Description

Myoporum wilderi is a shrub or small tree sometimes growing to a height of 5 metres (20 ft) with young branches that are flattened or three-sided. The leaves are arranged alternately, are broadly elliptical in shape with a pointed tip and are mostly 50–102 millimetres (2–4 in) long and 15–35 millimetres (0.6–1 in) wide. They are the same shiny colour on both surfaces, glabrous and have a distinct mid-vein.[2][3]

The flowers are borne in groups of up to 6 in the axils of leaves on stalks 6–12 millimetres (0.2–0.5 in) long and usually have 5 pointed sepals and 5 petals forming a tube or bell-shape. The tube is 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long with lobes about the same length. The tube is white with distinct purple spots in the tube and on the inner parts of the lobes. There are four stamens which extend beyond the petal tube. The fruits is an oval shaped drupe with a distinct point on the end.[2][3]

Taxonomy

Myoporum wilderi was first formally described in 1933 by Carl Skottsberg and the description was published in Acta Horti Gothoburgensis.[1][2] The specific epithet wilderi honours the botanist Gerrit Parmile Wilder.[2][4]

Distribution and habitat

Myoporum wilderi is only found on Mangaia and Mitiaro.[2][3]

Uses

On Mangaia, the flowers of this myoporum are used to scent coconut oil. On Raratonga, the species is cultivated for the same purpose.[2][3]

References
  1. "Myoporum wilderi". APNI. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  2. Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. pp. 135–136. ISBN 9781877058165.
  3. "Myoporum wilderi, Cook Islands Myoporum". The Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  4. "Index of Botanists". Harvard University. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
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