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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Myoporaceae (Now Scrophulariaceae) |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [M. parvifolium 'Tucson'] |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: 6-12 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Myoporum parvifolium 'Fine Leaf Form' (Fine-leaf Groundcover Myoporum) - A quick growing, trailing dense evergreen groundcover that grows to 4 to 6 inches tall and spreads to 5 feet or more with well-branched stems and closely spaced narrow leaves. In late spring and summer white star shaped flowers form in clusters at the tips of the branches. Plant in full to part sun (stays lower and is a denser cover in full sun) in a fairly well drained soil and water occasionally to infrequently - it is drought and seaside tolerant and hardy to about 18 degrees F. A great groundcover for mixing with other taller shrubs slopes or as a solid groundcover where it grows so thick it can smother weeds - particularly useful on slopes. Prune back lightly after flowering in summer to keep neat. This species comes from south western New South Wales, central and western Victoria and eastern South Australia where it can often be found growing in clay soils, often in saline conditions. We have not been able to determine the origin of this fine cultivar but have seen a plant that appears identical being sold under the name Myoporum parvifolium 'Tucson'. The name of the genus comes from the Greek words 'myo' meaning "to shut" and 'poros' meaning "closed pores" in reference to the appearance of the glands on the leaves. The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'parvus' meaning "small" or "insignificant"and 'folius' meaning "leaf" in reference to the small leaves of the species. The common names used for the species in Australia include Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum and Dwarf Native Myrtle. Myoporum is closely related to Eremophila and both were long placed in the Myoporaceae, but this family has been absorbed into the Figwort family, the Scrophulariaceae and placed in the Myoporeae Tribe. In 2006 in southern California Myoporum laetum and Myoporum 'Pacificum' (AKA 'South Coast') came under attack by a newly describes thrips, Klambothrips myopori, that came from coastal Eastern Australia. While this pest plagued our crops of Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii', causing us to stop producing it, this pest has not affected Myoporum laetum 'Compacta', Myoporum 'Putah Creek' or Myoporum parvifolium. More information can also be found on our Myoporum Thrips Page. Our thanks go out to Jo O'Connell at Australian Native Plant Nursery for our cutting stock on this great little plant.
The information about Myoporum parvifolium 'Fine Leaf Form' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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