Native seed catalogue

Lophomyrtus bullata Ramarama

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Propagation summary

Good germination rate. Variations found around sowing to germination timeframes. Can be grown from cuttings.

Seed propagation category

Easy.

Geographical distribution

Located from north Auckland through to Nelson-Marlborough.(1)

Seed collection

Seeds collected between April and May did not germinate. Seeds collected in June germinate well.(2)

Seed storage

Seeds are sensitive to being frozen. Seeds stayed viable under dry storage at 5°C.(2) Seeds kept dry at room temperature and humidity for 6-7 months had a germination rate of 48%.(1) Seeds dried to 2% moisture content had a germination rate of <70%.(3)

Seed dormancy

10 days(2) and 56 days(1) to first germination have been reported.

Pre-sowing treatments

Needs de-pulping as seeds in fruit do not germinate.(1) No need for cold stratification(2) (stratification is the process of chilling seeds to promote germination).

Germination

Easily grown from fresh seeds.(4) Variations found in the reported germination rate (71%,(2) 91%,(3) or 97%(1)) dependent on the growing conditions used.

Propagation techniques

Can be grown from semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings.(4) Can be germinated in the dark.(1)

Susceptibility to disease and pests

Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii).(4)

Research opportunity

Germination, seed storage, and vegetative propagation needs further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Lophomyrtus bullata, the image details are:

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Native afforestation research programme: Seed propagation catalogue
1.

Burrows, C J (1999) Germination behaviour of seeds of the New Zealand woody species: Alseuosmia macrophylla, A. pusilla, Cordyline banksii, Geniostoma rupestre, Myrtus bullata, and Solanum aviculare. New Zealand Journal of Botany 37, 277–287.

2.

van der Walt, K; Nadarajan, J (2023) Seed storage physiology of Lophomyrtus and Neomyrtus, two threatened Myrtaceae genera endemic to New Zealand. Plants 12(5), 1067.

3.

Nadarajan, J; van der Walt, K; Lehnebach, C.A; Saeiahagh, H; Pathirana, R (2021) Integrated ex situ conservation strategies for endangered New Zealand Myrtaceae species. New Zealand Journal of Botany 59(1), 72–89.

4.

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Lophomyrtus bullata. Accessed 17 October 2024.

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