Ngaio
ExplorarPlantas
Ngaio
myoporum laetum
The Ngaio is a resilient, fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree native to coastal New Zealand. Widely known for its incredible tolerance to harsh coastal winds and salt spray, this species plays a vital ecological role in stabilizing dunes and cliff edges. It is often cultivated as a robust hedge or shelterbelt in exposed coastal gardens. While it provides excellent shelter and produces berries favored by native birds, almost all parts of the plant—especially the leaves—contain 'ngaione', a toxic essential oil that protects the plant from mammalian herbivores.
Hábitat: Commonly found in coastal environments including cliffs, sand dunes, rocky shores, and lowland coastal forests throughout New Zealand.
Aspecto
Ngaio typically grows as a sprawling shrub or rounded tree reaching heights of 1 to 10 meters. It features lance-shaped, bright green leaves that feel somewhat fleshy or leathery to the touch and are covered in unique, translucent gland dots visible when held to the light. In spring and summer, it produces small, star-shaped white flowers speckled with distinct purple spots, which later develop into succulent, reddish-purple oblong fruits (drupes) about 5 to 8 millimeters long.
ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenLamialesFamiliaScrophulariaceaeGéneroMyoporum
Categoría
PlantasRareza
Common
Peligro
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Snaps
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Datos interesantes
Despite its medicinal and insect-repelling uses, the plant is highly toxic to livestock like horses and sheep, causing severe liver damage if consumed.
Indigenous Māori historically rubbed the bruised leaves of the ngaio tree directly onto their skin to repel biting mosquitoes and sandflies.
The translucent dots on the leaves are actually tiny oil-secreting glands, making the leaves look like they have been pierced with pins when held up to the light.
Habilidades especiales
Habilidad
Translucent Oil Glands
The leaves feature thousands of tiny, translucent glands containing ngaione, a toxic oil that deters insect pests and mammalian herbivores from feeding on them.
Habilidad
Salt Wind Resilience
It possesses thick, leathery leaves and a flexible wood structure that allows it to withstand extreme coastal salt spray and gale-force winds.
Habilidad
Dune Stabilization
With a wide-reaching and deep root system, the ngaio can firmly anchor itself in shifting sands, helping to prevent erosion along coastal dunes.
Medidas y detalles
- Longitud
- 100-1000 cm
- Esperanza de vida
- 30-80 años
Dieta y alimentación
Ngaio is a photosynthetic plant that manufactures its own organic compounds and energy using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.
Alimentos principales
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Soil minerals
Conexiones ecológicas
mutualism
Kereru
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
The native pigeon consumes the ripe purple fruits and acts as a major seed disperser for the tree.
eaten by
Ngaio Thrips
Klambothrips myopori
An invasive pest insect that feeds extensively on the young foliage, causing severe leaf galling and damage.
mutualism
Tui
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Visits the small white flowers to feed on nectar, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Rasgos
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También conocido como
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Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Ngaio?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Ngaio es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Cuál es el longitud de Ngaio?
100-1000 cm
¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Ngaio?
30-80 años
¿Qué come Ngaio?
Ngaio is a photosynthetic plant that manufactures its own organic compounds and energy using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Ngaio?
Commonly found in coastal environments including cliffs, sand dunes, rocky shores, and lowland coastal forests throughout New Zealand.
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