Species

Melicytus novae-zelandiae

Etymology

Melicytus: From the Greek meli (honey) and kytos (hollow container), referring to the staminal nectaries of the flowers. Literally "honey-cave"
novae-zelandiae: of New Zealand

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 novae-zelandiae (A.Cunn.) P.S.Green

Family

Violaceae

Brief Description

Bushy shrub bearing leathery wavy-edged dark green leaves that have the vein network more visible on the underside forming a dense scrub in coastal areas of the North Island. Leaves 3-9cm long by 2-5cm wide, paler underneath. Flowers yellowish, scattered along stem. Fruit white with purple blotches.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

MELNOV

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

Scaevola novae-zelandiae A.Cunn., Hymenanthera novae-zelandiae (A.Cunn.) Hemsl., Hymenanthera latifolia Kirk, Hymenanthera latifolia Kirk var. latifolia, Hymenanthera latifolia var. tasmanica Kirk,

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 32

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 6 Dec 2014