natural herbs
Lophomyrtus x ralphii
 

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb latin name: Lophomyrtus x ralphii

Synonyms: Myrtus x ralphii

Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)

Edible parts of Lophomyrtus x ralphii:

Fruit - raw or cooked. They are sweet and pleasant with a slightly aromatic flavour when they are fully ripe. The fruit is berry about 7mm in diameter containing a number of small but very hard seeds. We have seen plants of the cultivar "Sundae" still bearing fruit in the early spring.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Coastal to montane forest, especially marginally, in North Island and occasionally in the north of South Island.

Propagation of Lophomyrtus x ralphii:

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. Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame. Basal cuttings are used. Layering.

Cultivation of the herb:

Coastal to montane forest, especially marginally, in North Island and occasionally in the north of South Island.

Medicinal use of Lophomyrtus x ralphii:

None known

Known hazards of Lophomyrtus x ralphii:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.