Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Sapindales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Melicope J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Melicope ternata J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., Char. Gen. Pl., ed. 2. 56 (1776)
Synonymy:
  • = Entoganum laevigatum Banks ex Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 331, tab. 68, fig. 6 (1788)
  • = Melicope ternata var. grandis Cheeseman, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 20: 166 (1888)
Vernacular Name(s):
Houkūmara; Koheriki; Tākaka; Tātaka; Wharangi; Wharangipiro
 Description

Glab. much-branched spreading shrub up to 6 m. tall; branchlets slender, pale yellow-green when young. Lvs opp., 3-foliolate, on petioles up to c. 5 cm. long; petiolules very short to 5 mm. long. Lamina thinly coriac., (5)–7–10 × (2)–3–4 cm., subacute to acute, obovate-cuneate to elliptic- to ovate- or obovate-oblong, entire (all forms may be on same plant). Subfloral lvs may be 2- to 1-foliolate. Infl. of often paired axillary cymes, ± trichotomously branched, on peduncles ± 2 cm. long; bracts minute, ovate; pedicels ± 5 mm. long. Fls perfect or unisexual, 8–10 mm. diam. Sepals ovate-oblong, c. 1·5 mm. long, gland-dotted; petals greenish, ovate-oblong, concavo-convex, c. 5 mm. long, gland-dotted. Ovary glab., style short, stout. Disk annular, lobulate.. Cocci ± 5 mm. long, pale brown, wrinkled and punctulose. Seed ± 5 mm. long, black, glossy.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–Oct.; Fruiting: Oct.–Feb.

 Bibliography
Cheeseman, T.F. 1888: On the flora of the Kermadec Islands. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 20: 151–181.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Forster, J.R.; Forster, G. 1776: Characteres Generum Plantarum quas in Itinere ad Insulas Maris Australis Collegerunt, Descripserunt, Delinearunt, Annis. Edition 2. White, Cadell & Elmsley, London.
Gaertner, J. 1788: De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum. Vol. 1. Stuttgart.
Hartley, T.G. 2000: On the Taxonomy and Biogeography of Euodia and Melicope (Rutaceae). Allertonia 8(1): 1–319.