Melicytus ramiflorus

Leaves of Mahoe ( Melicytus ramiflorus )

Melicytus ramiflorus (Maori: Mahoe, English: Whitey -Wood ) is a plant from the family of Violet Family ( Violaceae ).

In previous studies, we identified four subtypes of Melicytus ramiflorus: subsp. ramiflorus in New Zealand, subsp. oblongifolius on Norfolk Iceland, subsp. fastigiata in Fiji and subsp. samoensis in Samoa and Tonga. Recent studies, especially by way Whistler suggest that all subspecies should be considered as separate species.

Description

Melicytus ramiflorus grows as a tree, reached the stature heights of up to 10 meters and trunk diameter of up to 60 centimeters. It has a whitish bark and brittle branches.

The dark green, against permanent branches are 5-15 inches long and 3-5 inches wide. Their edges are finely serrated, but this is less pronounced in younger plants.

The flowering period extends from late spring and into the summer. Melicytus ramiflorus is dioecious getrenntgeschlechtig ( dioecious ). The frets appear in time inflorescences directly from the branches. The small with a diameter of 3 to 4 millimeters flowers smell strongly and are yellowish.

The bright purple when ripe berries are a diameter of 3 to 4 millimeters more or less spherical.

The berries appear in late summer and autumn. The berries are eaten by various species of birds, including Kereru and Tui. Geckos of the genus Naultinus were observed to have their insect diet supplemented with the berries.

Occurrence

Mahoe is common in New Zealand in low-lying forests and often found on surfaces on which regenerates the forest, so also in the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington.