Species

Melicytus macrophyllus

Etymology

Melicytus: From the Greek meli (honey) and kytos (hollow container), referring to the staminal nectaries of the flowers. Literally "honey-cave"
macrophyllus: Big leaf

Common Name(s)

Large-leaved mahoe

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Not Threatened

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Melicytus macrophyllus A.Cunn.

Family

Violaceae

Brief Description

Small bushy tree bearing many leathery oval leaves that have a few bumps on the margin inhabiting Northland and Auckland. Leaves 7-14cm long by 4-10cm wide, central vein green, vein network more visible on the underside. Flowers small, yellowish, scattered in groups along twig. Fruit purple.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

MELMAC

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Synonyms

None

Distribution

Endemic. North Island from near Kaitaia south the the Waitakere Ranges in the west and Mt William (near Bombay) in the east. Reports of the species from near Dunedin are based on mislabelled herbarium specimens

Propagation Technique

Easily grown from fresh and semi-hardwood cuttings. An attractive shurb to small-tree which is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and light levels. Does best when planted under taller trees.

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 32

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

 

   

This page last updated on 6 Dec 2014