362 



PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Genus Mijoporum. 



Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, entire or serrate, ijellucid-dotted. 

 Flowers axillary, solitary or in fascicles. Calyx 5-lobed ; corolla 5-lobed, 

 stamens 4. Ovary 2-5-celled; cells 1-, rarely 2-seeded. A genus found chiefly in 

 Australia and the Pacific Islands. (Name from the Greek, in reference to the. 

 leaf glands). 1 sp. 



Fig. 119. Ngaio tree on the sea-beach. 



Myoporum laetum {The Ngaio). 



A small tree, 10 ft. -'20 ft. in height. Leaves 2 in. -4 in. long, lanceolate, acute,, 

 partially serrate, bright-green, shining. Flowers 2-6 together. Corolla J in.-§ in. 

 broad, white, spotted with lilac. Drupe jin. long. Both islands : usually 

 near the sea-shore. Fl. Oct. -Dec. 



The Ngaio tree is well known throughout the islands. 

 Though not restricted to the sea-coast, it is seldom found 

 far inland. At times it may be met with growing almost 

 within high-water mark. When young, it is a beautiful^ 



