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(Myrsine australis)
Red Matipo (Myrsine australis)
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John Barkla
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
John Barkla
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: John Barkla | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: John Barkla | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-04-18T14:07:26-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Fortuna Foothills, Arizona
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 22" - 213" | 4" | Your precipitation may be insufficient for this plant. Irrigate N" / year. | Irrigate N" / year |
| • High Temp. | 59°F - 88°F | 107°F | Your summers may be too hot for this plant. | Too hot |
| • Low Temp. | 18°F - 54°F | 44°F | Your winter temperatures are normal for this plant | Excellent |
This plant should grow well at your location with about N inches per year (Y minutes per month) of irrigation.
Summary
Myrsine australis, commonly known as Red Matipo, is an evergreen shrub native to the coastal and lowland forests of New Zealand. It typically grows to a height of 6-9 feet (1.8-2.7 meters) and a width of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters). Red Matipo has a dense, bushy habit with small, leathery leaves that are often tinged with red, especially when young. It produces inconspicuous white flowers in the spring and summer, followed by purple-black berries that are attractive to birds.
Red Matipo is valued for its low maintenance, tolerance of coastal conditions, and its ability to provide year-round foliage interest in gardens. It is commonly used for hedging, screening, and as a component of mixed shrubberies. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil, although it can tolerate a range of soil types. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but benefits from medium amounts of water during prolonged dry periods. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from scale insects.CC BY-SA 4.0
Red Matipo is valued for its low maintenance, tolerance of coastal conditions, and its ability to provide year-round foliage interest in gardens. It is commonly used for hedging, screening, and as a component of mixed shrubberies. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil, although it can tolerate a range of soil types. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but benefits from medium amounts of water during prolonged dry periods. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from scale insects.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 6-9 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Hedges, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Coastal and lowland forests of New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: Māpou, Māpau, Tīpau, Mataira, Cape Beech Tree
Scientific Names: Myrsine australis, Myrsine urvillei, Rapanea australis, Suttonia australis, Rapanea urvillei, Merista laevigata, Myrsine richardiana, Myrsine undulata
GBIF Accepted Name: Myrsine australis (A.Rich.) Allan