Myrsine

( MUR - seen )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen, leathery-leaved shrubs includes species which need full sun to partial shade and moderate water to perform well in the garden. Species are native to Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Americas various Islands in the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. They are commonly referred to as African Boxwood, Colicwood, Cape Myrtle, or Rapanea. These plants make a great choice for a low hedge, planting in narrow beds, and growing in containers. Foliage is great greenery for freshly cut flower arrangements. These plants can withstand air pollution, making them perfect for urban garden spaces. Take care when planting these shrubs in your garden, as all parts are poisonous if ingested.

Myrsine Species and Varietals

The genus Myrsine is a member of the plant family Primulaceae, and includes over 280 distinct species. Plants in the Myrsine genus are closely related to those in Ardisia (Marlberry), Cyclamen, and Lysimachia (Loosestrife). These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Myrsine africana (Cape Myrtle, African Boxwood, Thakisa)
African Boxwood is native to the Azores, Africa, the Himalayas and China, and reaches 3 to 8 feet tall and 2.5 to 6 feet wide. It forms a stiff, round bush with erect dark red stems. Leaves are dark green and glossy. The foliage is aromatic and flowers are insignificant. Cultivar 'Scarlet Marglin' produces cream, pink, and green variegated foliage and reaches 4-8 feet tall. This species is considered invasive in California.

Myrsine australis (Mapou, Red Matipo, Tīpau, Mataira, Red Mapou)
These plants are endemic to New Zealand and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8-10. The species forms a shrub or small tree that reaches between 10 and 20 feet tall at maturity. Trunk and older branches will have dark brownish black bark, and newer growth is reddish-brown. Leaves are pale green with a yellow tinge, and are normally wavy.

Myrsine divaricata (Weeping Mapou, Weeping Matipo)
These trees reach up to 13 feet tall, and are endemic to New Zealand. Branches are typically interlaced, and leaves are small, dark green and leathery. Flowers are very small and can be yellow to reddish in color. They mature into purple (occasionally white) fruits. Bark is rough and dark brown.

Myrsine lessertiana (Kōlea lau Nui)
These trees, commonly called Colicwood, are native to Hawaii. The species forms a small to medium-sized tree, reaching up to 60 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. Foliage is green and glossy, and new growth is pinkish-red. These are popular trees used for native forest restoration projects in lowland forests as well as higher elevations.

Myrsine melanophloeos (Cape Beech, Kaapse Boekenhout, IsiCalabi, IsiQuane Sehlati)
These dense evergreen trees are native to Africa, and commonly grow in forested areas or along stream banks. Leaves, stalks, and berries have a purple or maroon color. These trees are cultivated as ornamentals as specimen trees as well as screening plants, and are also used as potted bonsai specimens. Once established, they are relatively drought-tolerant trees.

Caring for and myrsine

Plant Myrsine in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day, though they do appreciate some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic). These plants are not picky about soil texture and can grow well in poor soils. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. While these shrubs are establishing themselves, provide weekly deep waterings. Lessen waterings in wintertime, and increase them in summer. When these plants are mature, they are considered drought-resistant, able to go for relatively long periods without water, but they will perform better and have fuller foliage if they are given regular waterings.

Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Pruning is minimal for these plants; they may benefit from some light pruning in the beginning of springtime to encourage more bushy growth to emerge. At this time, remove dead, damaged or diseased branches and foliage. These shrubs can also be sheared into formal hedges. These shrubs can last for decades in the landscape before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Myrsine in Containers
Cape Myrtle shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Myrsine plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Although it is possible to propagate these shrubs both by cuttings and seed, cuttings are usually difficult to get to root well, and the resulting plants are not always balanced. The better method is to propagate via seed if there are male and female plants present in the same area. To propagate your shrub, see the instructions below:

Propagating Myrsine by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seeds on these plants are pretty easy to find, they're contained inside the fruit that these shrubs produce. Keep in mind that seeds will only be viable if there is a male and a female plant in close proximity. Once they have ripened, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, and remove the seeds from the fruit, ensuring that all flesh is off the seeds before they are ready to be sown.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Myrsine fruits are single-seeded drupes, emerging green and maturing to purple-black.

Myrsine seeds are spherical to curved and brown.

Problems and Pests

Certain Myrsine species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. These shrubs are resistant to pests and disease. For information on commonly-encountered home garden pests and diseases, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues