Myoporum sandwicense aka Bastard Sandalwood

Myoporum sandwicense belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. Its common name is bastard sandalwood. Kew lists its native range as Hawaii and ‘Eua, Tonga. It grows as a shrub with many branches or a tree. The source photographs also show a low, creeping form. This range of shapes makes its mature form quite variable.

Garden plants generally reach about 15 feet [4.5 metres] tall. Larger cultivated plants can reach 25 feet [7.5 metres]. Their spread can reach about 12 feet [3.6 metres]. Old wild trees may reach 43 feet [13 metres]. The source reports these taller trees above 2,460 feet [750 metres]. Such heights are well above the usual size in gardens. Flowers can appear in every month of the year. The source also shows fruiting branches, ripening fruit, and seeds.

Wild plants occupy a broad range of sites in Hawaii. These include coastal growth and rough a‘a lava. They also grow in dry, moist, and wet forests. Subalpine forests hold the greatest share of plants. Their elevation range starts at sea level. It extends to about 7,550 feet [2,300 metres]. Kew places the species within the wet tropical climate group. These habitat records do not establish its needs in gardens. The supplied sources give no firm frost or hardiness limits.

People gather wild plants for medicine and useful wood. Hawaiian remedies for asthma include the leaves and leaf buds. These form part of a mixture with several other plants. This records a traditional use, not proof that it works. The flowers yield a dye with a pink hue. The wood smells like sandalwood and serves as a substitute. People use it for house posts and for torches. Its lasting burn makes it useful for the latter purpose.

Useful Tropical Plants records no known food uses or hazards. That does not establish that every part is safe to eat. Seed propagation can take patience, since germination varies widely. Fresh seed sprouts sooner than stored seed. Reported germination takes from one to eighteen months. The source advises soaking seeds before sowing them in containers. It recommends a shaded place for the seed containers. Scratching the seed coat before soaking may shorten the wait. Seed quality affects success, and storage reduces viability.