About Myoporum acuminatum R.Br.
Myoporum acuminatum grows as a hairless shrub or small tree, reaching up to 13 metres (40 feet) in height, with a trunk diameter up to 50 cm (20 inches). The trunks of larger plants may be irregular in shape with flanges. The bark of larger trees is greyish brown and somewhat wrinkled. Small branches are green, fairly thick and smooth. Some authors have considered that Myoporum acuminatum encompasses the closely related species Myoporum montanum, which has an overlapping range with it. The common name Waterbush originally comes from Myoporum montanum. This species grows through arid central Australia and coastal regions, and its presence is thought to indicate the presence of groundwater. The two species are difficult to distinguish because they are closely related with an overlapping range, but they can be told apart by several features: Myoporum montanum has smaller, narrower leaves, its flower sepals lack the translucent margins present on Myoporum acuminatum sepals, and its fruit is pink or light purple, compared to the dark purple or blue fruit of Myoporum acuminatum. Myoporum acuminatum grows in rainforest or eucalyptus forest of eastern Australia, ranging from Queensland to the far south coast of New South Wales. In horticulture, Waterbush is a hardy plant that can tolerate salt spray. It prefers well drained soil in full sun, and is most easily propagated from cuttings.
