Myoporum laetum
Myoporum laetum, commonly known as ngaio  or mousehole tree is a species of flowering plant in the family Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to New Zealand. It is a fast growing shrub or small tree with lance-shaped leaves, the edges with small serrations, and white flowers with small purple spots and 4 stamens. Description
Ngaio is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree that sometimes grows to a height of  with a trunk up to  in diameter, or spreads to as much as . It often appears dome-shaped at first but as it gets older, distorts as branches break off. The bark on older specimens is thick, corky and furrowed. The leaves are lance-shaped, usually  long,  wide, have many translucent dots in the leaves and edges that have small serrations in approximately the outer half. The flowers are white with purple spots and are borne in groups of 2 to 6 on stalks  long. There are 5 egg-shaped, pointed sepals and 5 petals joined at their bases to form a bell-shaped tube  long. The petal lobes are  long making the flower diameter . There are four stamens that extend slightly beyond the petal tube and the ovary is superior with 2 locules. Flowering occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer and is followed by the fruit which is a bright red drupe  long. Taxonomy and naming
Myoporum laetum was first formally described in 1786 by Georg Forster in Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus. The specific epithet (laetum) means "cheerful, pleasant or bright". Distribution and habitat
Ngaio grows very well in coastal areas of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. It grows in lowland forest, sometimes in pure stands, others in association with other species such as nikau (Rhopalostylis sapida). Ecology
Myoporum laetum has been introduced to several other countries including Portugal, South Africa and Namibia. It is considered an invasive exotic species by the California Exotic Pest Plant Council. Uses

Indigenous use
The Māori would rub the leaves over their skin to repel mosquitoes and sandflies. Horticulture
Ngaio is a hardy plant that will grow in most soils but needs full sun. It can also tolerate exposure to salt spray. It can be grown from seed or from semi-hard cuttings. Toxicity
The leaves of this tree contain the liver toxin ngaione, which can cause sickness and or death in stock such as horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. Māori legend

According to Māori legend, a Ngaio tree can be seen on the moon. Here is the story, as recounted by politician, historian, poet William Pember Reeves (1857–1932):

See also
Catherine Alexander (botanist)

References

laetum
Trees of New Zealand
Plants described in 1786
Moon myths
Flora of New Zealand