Maytenus boaria
Common name: 
Mayten
Mayten Tree
Pronunciation: 
may-TEN-us BOAR-ee-uh
Family: 
Celastraceae
Genus: 
Maytenus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen tree, up to 30-50 ft (9-15 m) tall, somewhat less in width, branches slender, long, pendulous (i.e., weeping habit).  Leaves small, about 2.5-5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, alternate, lanceolate, margins finely serrate, mid-green color, paler below; petiole slender, very short.   Flowers are small, inconspicuous, mostly unisexual, both sexes on the same plant; white tinged with green. Fruit is a yellow bivalve capsule, which contains one or two seeds, and is covered by a red-colored membrane.
  • Sun to part shade, well-drained soil.  May show some leaf drop in cold weather but recovers quickly.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (8) 9   The RHS Dictionary of Gardening states it will tolerate temperatures to 14°F (-10°C).   Native to Chile and Argentina.  Apparently naturalized in New Zealand and considered a weed.
  • 'Green Showers': this selection has broader leaves and more pendulous branches.
  • boaria: bovine, cattle eat the leaves.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, in native habitat

    plant habit, in native habitat

  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • foliage

    foliage

  • leafy shoots

    leafy shoots

  • shoot and leaves

    shoot and leaves

  • leaf

    leaf

  • leaves and flowers

    leaves and flowers

  • flowers

    flowers

  • flowers

    flowers

  • leaves and developing fruit

    leaves and developing fruit

  • leave and ripe fruit

    leave and ripe fruit

  • trunks and bark

    trunks and bark