About Myoporum petiolatum Chinnock
Myoporum petiolatum Chinnock is a shrub that typically reaches 0.5 to 2.0 meters (2 to 7 feet) in height. Its leaves are arranged alternately, with a distinct petiole 5 to 13 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long. Most leaves measure 30 to 63 millimeters (1 to 2 inches) long and 10 to 27 millimeters (0.4 to 1 inch) wide. They are elliptic to egg-shaped, with a dark green, shiny upper surface that contrasts with the lighter-colored lower surface. Tiny serrations run along the leaf margins. Flowers grow in clusters of 2 to 5 in leaf axils, on stalks 4.6 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. There are 5 narrow triangular sepals, and 5 petals that form a tube ending in spreading lobes. The petals are white with a faint lilac tint, and have purple spots on the lobes and inside the tube. The petal tube is 3 to 4.5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long, while the lobes are 4.4 to 6.7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. The fruit is a succulent, rounded, yellow-green drupe approximately 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter. This species occurs in South Australia and Victoria, Australia, where it is found from the Flinders Ranges, Mount Lofty Ranges, and Kangaroo Island to the ranges surrounding Melbourne, growing most often in exposed areas of woodland.
