Class
Order
Family
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Melicytus macrophyllus A.Cunn., Ann. Nat. Hist. 4: 256 (1840)
Vernacular Name(s):
large-leaved mahoe; Māhoe
Description
A tree up to 6 m. tall; trunk up to 4 dm. diam.; bark light brown. Lvs on light-coloured petioles 1–2 cm. long; lamina (5)–7 -15–20) × (3)–4–6–(10) cm., coriac., coarsely and bluntly serrate, obovate-oblong, abruptly acute (some lvs rounded at apex) sinuately and cuneately narrowed to base. Infl. of 3–12 fascicled fls on slender, decurved pedicels c. 1·5 cm. long; bracts just below fls. Fls 6–7 mm. diam.; calyx lobes ovate-oblong, obtuse, 1–2 mm. long; petals narrow-oblong to ligulate, becoming recurved (♀ shorter, remaining suberect). ♂ with sessile, free, apiculate anthers; ♀ with short style and discoid 3–5-lobed stigmas. Berry subglobose to turbinate, 5–7 × 4–6 mm., white, ± purple flushed; seeds 4–6.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]
Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
Phenology
Flowering: Sep.–Oct.; Fruiting: Oct.–Dec.
Bibliography
Cunningham, A. 1840: Florae insularum Novae Zelandiae precursor; or a specimen of the botany of the islands of New Zealand. Annals of Natural History 4: 256–262.
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]
Kirk,T. 1899: The Students' Flora of New Zealand and the Outlying Islands. Government Printer, Wellington, N.Z.
