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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
| • Precipitation | 22" - 213" |
| • High Temp. | 59°F - 88°F |
| • Low Temp. | 18°F - 54°F |
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