Myoporum rapense facts for kids

Myoporum rapense is a special plant that belongs to the figwort family, called Scrophulariaceae. This plant is found only in certain places, like French Polynesia and the Kermadec Islands. This means it is endemic to these areas. It is a close relative of another plant called Myoporum laetum. There are two main types, or subspecies, of Myoporum rapense, and they grow on different groups of islands.

What Does Myoporum rapense Look Like?

Myoporum rapense can grow as a small bush or a tree. It can reach a height of about 13 metres (40 ft), which is like a tall building. Its branches have small bumps where old leaves used to be. The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are usually between 30 millimetres (1 in) and 155 millimetres (6 in) long, and 7 millimetres (0.3 in) to 56 millimetres (2 in) wide. Both sides of the leaves are the same color. Their edges often have small teeth, especially on the outer half.

The flowers of Myoporum rapense grow either alone or in small groups of up to five. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower has a stalk that is 6 millimetres (0.2 in) to 20 millimetres (0.8 in) long. The flowers have five pointed sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the bud. They also have five petals that form a bell-shaped tube. This tube is about 3.5 millimetres (0.1 in) to 7 millimetres (0.3 in) long. The petal tips, called lobes, are about the same length or a bit shorter. The tube is white and often has pale purple spots. It is also fuzzy inside. There are four stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. These stamens stick out beyond the petals. You can usually see flowers on the plant all year round. After the flowers, a fruit grows. This fruit is oval-shaped and can be red, mauve, or sometimes white. It is a type of drupe, which means it has a hard pit inside, like a peach.

How Scientists Named This Plant

The plant Myoporum rapense was first officially described in 1935. This was done by a scientist named Forest B. H. Brown. His description was published in a science book called Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin. The second part of the plant's name, rapense, tells us where it was found. It refers to Rapa Island, where the first example of the plant, called the type specimen, was collected by W.R.Sykes.

There are two different types, or subspecies, of Myoporum rapense:

• Myoporum rapense F.Br. subsp. rapense: This type has smooth leaves and red fruits. It grows on Raivavae, Rapa, and Tubuai islands. These islands are part of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia.
• Myoporum rapense subsp. kermadecense (W.R.Sykes) Chinnock : This type has tiny oil dots in its leaves. Its fruits can be violet, purple, or white. It is found on islands in the Kermadec group.

Where Myoporum rapense Lives

Myoporum rapense grows on the Austral and Kermadec Islands. It likes to live in different kinds of places. You can find it in coastal scrub, in woodland areas, on sand dunes, or in volcanic soils. It often grows on rocky hillsides near the coast.

Protecting Myoporum rapense

Good news! Myoporum rapense is listed as being of "least concern" on the IUCN Red List. This means that, for now, there are plenty of these plants, and they are not in danger of disappearing.