Lophomyrtus × ralphii
| Lophomyrtus × ralphii | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lophomyrtus × ralphii
Propagation: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse in late winter or early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a frame[1].
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame[1]. Basal cuttings are used[1].
Layering.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any soil of reasonably good quality[2]. Prefers a sheltered position in full sun in a moderately fertile well-drained soil enriched with leafmould[1][3].
A naturally occurring hybrid of Lophomyrtus bullata x Lophomyrtus obcordata[1].
Plants are scarcely hardy at Kew but they succeed outdoors in the milder parts of the country[4], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[3].
Growth can be restricted by cutting the plant back in spring[5].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Coastal to montane forest, especially marginally, in North Island and occasionally in the north of South Island[6][7].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[K]. They are sweet and pleasant with a slightly aromatic flavour when they are fully ripe[K]. The fruit is berry about 7mm in diameter containing a number of small but very hard seeds[K]. We have seen plants of the cultivar 'Sundae' still bearing fruit in the early spring.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.