Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Malpighiales Martius
Family
Violaceae
Genus
Melicytus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Melicytus crassifolius (Hook.f.) Garn.-Jones, New Zealand J. Bot. 25: 128 (1987)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Hymenanthera crassifolia Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 17, t.7 (1852)
Vernacular Name(s):
Thick-leaved mahoe; Thick-leaved porcupine plant
 Description

Low-growing spreading to erect dioec. shrub, sts as much as 2 m. tall; branchlets divaricating, ± pubescent, stout to slender, sts spinous at tips. Lvs coriac., solitary or fascicled, on petioles 2–4 mm. long; lamina (5 mm.)-1–2 cm. × (3)–4–7 mm.; narrowly obovate-oblong to spathulate, obtuse to retuse, cuneately narrowed to base; margins ± revolute, entire or occ. obtusely toothed or lobed. Fls ± 3 mm. diam., solitary or 2–3 together; bracts us. near middle of straight or recurved pedicel. Sepals suborbicular, margins fimbriate; petals narrow-oblong, revolute at apex, lemon-yellow, ± 3 mm. long. Anther membrane with 5 narrow triangular processes, scale broad; style 2-fid. Berry 3–5 mm. diam., broadly cylindric to subglobose; seeds (1)–2.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1 as Hymenanthera crassifolia Hook.f.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Connor, H.E.; Edgar, E. 1987: Name changes in the indigenous New Zealand flora, 1960–1986 and Nomina Nova IV, 1983–1986. New Zealand Journal of Botany 25: 115–170.
de Lange, P.J.; Gosden, J.; Courtney, S.P.; Fergus, A.J.; Barkla, J.W.; Beadel, S.M.; Champion, P.D., Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Makan, T.; Michel, P. 2024: Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 43. [Declining]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Declining]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
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. [Declining]
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. [Declining]
Hooker, J.D. 1852–1853 ("1853"): The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.
Kirk,T. 1899: The Students' Flora of New Zealand and the Outlying Islands. Government Printer, Wellington, N.Z. [as Hymenanthera crassifolia Hook.f.]