362 



PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Genus Myoporum. 



Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, entire or serrate, pellucid-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 Isetum (The Ngaio). 



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

 partially serrate, bright-green, shining. Mowers 2-6 together. Corolla in.-f in. 

 broad, white, spotted with lilac. Drupe |in. long. Both islands : usually near 

 the sea-shore. M. 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, 



