Solanum mauritianum Scop.

Spreading, unarmed shrub or small tree to 10 m tall and with trunk to 15 cm diam., with all parts stellate-tomentose, the hairs ± sessile to long-stalked. lvs on vegetative and most flowering shoots with prominent stipule-like auricles 5–25 mm long at base; petioles to 6 cm long on flowering shoots, longer on strong vegetative shoots. Lamina 10–25–(40) × 3.5–10–(20) cm, ovate to elliptic, entire, light to dark green on upper surface, white to yellowish green on lower surface; base cuneate; apex usually acuminate but blunt at tip. Panicles dense, many-flowered, corymbose, terminal at first; rachis to 18 cm long, stout; pedicels ± erect at fruiting. Calyx c. 5 mm long, not accrescent; lobes ± elliptic. Corolla 1.5–2 cm diam., usually mauve to purple, occasionally white; lobes ovate or triangular-ovate, stellate-tomentose outside. Anthers 2–3 mm long. Berry c. 1 cm diam., globose, dull yellow; stone cells 0. Seeds 1–2 mm long, oblong-obovoid to suborbicular.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Dec.