Name: Ngaio
Scientific name: Myoporum laetum
NZ Status: Endemic
Conservation Status (NZTCS): Non threatened
Found: Ngaio is a very familiar salt-tolerant species found mostly in coastal, but also in lowland forests throughout the country. Ngaio is uncommon in the far south.
Did you know? Ngaio’s leaves are green and fleshy with dotted yellow oil glands that are packed full of a toxin that can cause sickness or death in stock such as cattle, sheep, pigs and horses. When extracted the oil can also be used for medicinal purposes.