Phytolacca polyandra Batalin

Glabrous, erect, branched, semi-succulent herb to c. 1.5 m high, with abundant white raphides on stems, lvs, tepals and ovaries. Stems softly woody. Petioles stout, mostly 5–20 mm long. Lamina 10–32 × 4.5–14 cm, elliptic to ovate, somewhat granular-papillose below; base cuneate to attenuate, slightly asymmetric; apex mucronate. Racemes stout, erect, to c. 30 cm long at fruiting; peduncles and pedicels becoming crimson or rosy purple, densely granular-papillose. Fls ☿, densely arranged. Bracts (2.5)–3–5 mm long, linear-subulate; bracteoles similar but smaller. Perianth 7–8 mm diam.; tepals accrescent, 4–5 mm long, broad- or ovate-elliptic, persistent, pink or rose, becoming crimson or rosy purple. Stamens 12–14, < perianth; filaments and anthers rose or crimson. Ovary (5)–6–8-carpellate, deep green with white raphides. Fr. 7–12 mm long when fresh, subglobose and compressed with carpels rounded dorsally, with prominent grooves when dried, black, succulent with dark reddish juice. Seed (2.9)–3–3.3 mm wide, ± reniform, shining black.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4. as Phytolacca clavigera W.W.Sm.]

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.