Back to homepage
Questions? AskAuckland
  

Please select root levels for the menu

NZ Plants

Nestegis cunninghamii - maire, black maire

Olive family:Oleaceae

Nestegis cunninghamii is a tree with spreading branches with very hairy branchlets and leaves when young. The opposite leaves are dark green, long, narrow and  leathery with a weakly blistered upper Leaf surface and a slightly recessed midrib. The lower Leaf surface is a pale green with clearly visible venation . Leaves of juveniles are very narrow and long. Named after Allan Cunningham, English botanist and explorer (1791-1839).
An endemic species found on the North Island and the northern portion of the South Island.
 

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: tree up to 23 m

Arrangement of parts: symmetric
 

Flower size: 3-5 mm diam.

Leaf form: undivided, ovate-lanceolate; juv long, narrow-linear

Sepals: 0

Leaf size: 70-150 mm; juvenile 150-250 mm

Petals: 4, green

Leaf arrangement: Opposite pairs on stem

Sexuality: unisexual on different plants

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 2

Leaf margin: smooth

Ovary: above petals

Leaf Leaf surface: hairless  

Fruit: fleshy


Share Print Email