Plants in this genus are shrubs or small trees, mostly glabrous with simple leaves that are arranged alternately and often lack a petiole (although the leaves often taper towards the base). The flowers are adapted for pollination by insects and have white, (sometimes pinkish) petals and usually 4 stamens. The fruit is a drupe with its central seed surrounded by a hard endocarp and usually succulent mesocarp.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
The genus Myoporum was first formally described in 1786 by Georg Forster, from an unpublished description by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander.[4][5] The name Myoporum is derived from the Ancient Greekmyo meaning "to close" or "to be shut" and poros meaning "pore", referring to the ability of (some) plants in this genus to exist in dry areas,[6] or possibly to the appearance of the glands on the leaves.[7]
Recent molecular work into the Mypoporeae family seems to indicate that the genus Myoporum is nested within Eremophila, and is thus paraphyletic.[8]
Distribution
There are 30 species in the genus, which is spread from Mauritius, across Australia to the Pacific Islands. Eighteen species are endemic to Australia.
Ecology
Myoporum insulare is invasive in several African countries and in the western coastal areas of the United States. In South Africa this species is known as manatoka.[9] Some species, including M. insulare and M. laetum are known to be poisonous to stock.[3][10]
^"Myoporum Sol. ex G. Forst". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2006-04-20. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
^Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. p. 95. ISBN9781877058165.
^Glen, Hugh; van Wyk, Braam (2016). Guide to trees introduced into southern Africa (First ed.). Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Nature. pp. 230–231. ISBN9781775841258.
^ abBoschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. pp. 23–24. ISBN9781876473655.
^"Myoporum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
^"Myoporum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 18 November 2020.