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Myoporum petiolatum

sticky boobialla

Scrophulariaceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Myoporum petiolatum is a low, spreading evergreen shrub 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) wide, with trailing stems that root where they touch moist ground. The fleshy green leaves are 1-2.4 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, narrow, and toothed toward the tip, with a sticky, resinous surface that gives the plant its common name. White star-shaped flowers 0.3-0.4 inch (8-10 mm) across, marked with purple spots, appear along the stems mainly in spring and summer. These are followed by rounded fleshy drupes about 0.2 inch (5 mm) wide that ripen purple. The plant grows quickly and is used as a groundcover on banks and in coastal gardens, tolerating sand, salt spray, and dry spells once established. It is frost sensitive and is damaged by hard freezes. Foliage of Myoporum spp. species contains furanosesquiterpene oils that can be toxic to grazing livestock. In moist, mild climates the spreading stems can extend beyond their intended area and need occasional cutting back.

Native Range

Myoporum petiolatum is native to eastern Australia, occurring in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It grows in coastal and near-coastal sites, including dunes, headlands, and open woodland on sandy soils.

Suggested Uses

Used as a spreading groundcover on slopes and banks, in coastal and dry-climate gardens, and for soil stabilisation on sandy ground. The trailing stems also spill over walls and the edges of raised beds and large containers.

How to Identify

Identify by the low, spreading habit, fleshy narrow leaves 1-2.4 inches (2.5-6 cm) long with a sticky surface and small teeth near the tip, and white flowers 0.3-0.4 inch (8-10 mm) wide spotted with purple. The rounded fleshy fruit ripens purple and sits close to the stem. Crushed foliage is slightly resinous to the touch.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering is heaviest in spring and summer, roughly September to February in its native range, with scattered flowers at other times in mild climates. The white spotted flowers are followed within a few weeks by fleshy purple fruit.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white with purple spots

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Myoporum petiolatum grows in full sun to part shade in free-draining sandy or loamy soil. Once established it withstands drought, coastal wind, and salt spray, and needs only occasional deep watering. It is frost sensitive, and temperatures below about 28 F (-2 C) damage the foliage and stem tips. The plant spreads by stems that root along the ground, so it can cover an area within a season or two. Cutting back keeps it within bounds. It is propagated from cuttings, which root quickly in warm conditions.

Pruning

Trimming after the main flush of flowering keeps the plant dense and within its space. Stems that have rooted along the ground can be cut and lifted to limit spread. Hard pruning into bare old wood may be slow to reshoot.