Myoporum laetum
Myoporum laetum, commonly known as ngaio or mousehole tree is a plant in the family Scrophulariaceae endemic to New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands. It is a fast growing shrub, readily distinguished from others in the genus by the transparent dots in the leaves which are visible when held to a light. Description. Ngaio is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree which sometimes grows to a height of with a trunk up to in diameter, or spreads to as much as . It often appears dome-shaped at first but as it gets older, distorts as branches  break off. The bark on older specimens is thick, corky and furrowed. The leaves are lance-shaped, usually long, wide, have many translucent dots in the leaves and edges which have small serrations in approximately the outer half. The flowers are white with purple spots and are borne in groups of 2 to 6 on stalks long. There are 5 egg-shaped, pointed sepals and 5 petals joined at their bases to form a bell-shaped tube long. The petal lobes are long making the flower diameter . There are four stamens which extend slightly beyond the petal tube and the  ovary is superior with 2 locules. Flowering occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer and is followed by the fruit which is a bright red drupe long. Taxonomy and naming. "Myoporum laetum" was first formally described in 1786 by Georg Forster in "Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus". The specific epithet is derived from the "Latin "laetum", pleasant or bright". Distribution and habitat. Ngaio grows very well in coastal areas of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. It grows in lowland forest, sometimes in pure stands, others in association with other species such as nikau ("Rhopalostylis sapida"). Ecology. "Myoporum laetum" has been  introduced to several other countries including Portugal, South Africa and Namibia. It is considered an invasive exotic species by the California Exotic Pest Plant Council. Uses. Indigenous use. The Māori would rub the leaves over their skin to repel mosquitoes and sandflies. Horticulture. Ngaio is a hardy plant that will grow in most soils but needs full sun. It can also tolerate exposure to salt spray. It can be grown from seed or from semi-hard cuttings. Toxicity. The leaves of this tree contain the liver toxin Ngaione, which can cause sickness and or death in stock such as horses , cattle, sheep and pigs. Māori legend. According to Māori legend, a Ngaio tree can be seen on the moon. Here is the story, as recounted by politician, historian, poet William Pember Reeves (1857–1932):