Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla)

Botanical name

Myoporum parvifolium

Other names

Creeping Boobialla, Creeping myoporum

Genus

Myoporum Myoporum

Species

M. parvifolium - M. parvifolium is a mat-forming, evergreen shrub with narrow, slightly succulent, dark-green leaves. In summer, it bears clusters of small, white or pale pink, star-shaped flowers, followed by purple berries in autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

Flowers smell of honey

Habit

Mat Forming, Spreading

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.

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Colour

Flower

Pale-pink, White in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.8m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Coastal, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Salt tolerant, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Plant in free-draining soil in a sunny position. Not fully frost hardy, so select a sheltered site and if necessary, protect from cold winds in winter. Suitable for poor soil and coastal situations. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely & feed monthly in growth.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla)

Common pest name

Alfalfa dwarf; Anaheim disease; California vine disease; Dwarf disease of alfalfa; Dwarf disease of lucerne; Leaf scald of oleander; Leaf scald of plum; Leaf scorch; Phony disease of peach; Pierce's disease of grapevine; Variegated chlorosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca and related strains

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

A bacterial disease with a wide host range causing substantial damage to olive production in the south of Italy. The priority is to prevent further spread from that area through robust EU regulation. This subspecies is unlikely to be able to thrive in the UK; but should an outbreak occur there would be a need for eradication action which would result in environmental and social impacts.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/