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.

Habitat: Commonly found in coastal environments including cliffs, sand dunes, rocky shores, and lowland coastal forests throughout New Zealand.

Appearance

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.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyScrophulariaceaeGenusMyoporum

Ngaio

Interesting facts

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.

Special abilities

The leaves feature thousands of tiny, translucent glands containing ngaione, a toxic oil that deters insect pests and mammalian herbivores from feeding on them.

It possesses thick, leathery leaves and a flexible wood structure that allows it to withstand extreme coastal salt spray and gale-force winds.

With a wide-reaching and deep root system, the ngaio can firmly anchor itself in shifting sands, helping to prevent erosion along coastal dunes.

Measurements & details

Length: 100-1000 cm
Lifespan: 30-80 years

Diet & Feeding

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.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon dioxide
Soil minerals

Ecological connections

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.

Traits

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Also known as

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Ngaio?

The easiest way to identify Ngaio is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Ngaio?

100-1000 cm

How long does Ngaio live?

30-80 years

What does Ngaio eat?

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.

Where is Ngaio usually found?

Commonly found in coastal environments including cliffs, sand dunes, rocky shores, and lowland coastal forests throughout New Zealand.