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NZ Plants

Melicytus crassifolius - thick-leaved māhoe

Violet family: Violaceae

Melicytus crassifolius is a many branched sprawling shrub that can form thick springy mats. Branches are thick and tapering and bear small, dark green leathery oval leaves. Formerly Hymenanthera crassifolia. Melicytus is a genus of more than 20 species in New Zealand with additional species in Australia and Norfolk Island.
An endemic species of coastal or exposed inland regions found from Kaitaia on the North Island south to Kaikoura on the South Island.
 

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: shrub up to 2 m

Flower symmetry: symmetric
 

Flower size: 2-4 mm diam.

Leaf form: undivided, linear-oblong to spoon-shaped

Sepals: 5

Leaf size: 10-20 mm

Petals:  5, yellow

Leaf arrangement: alternate

Sexuality: bisexual

Leaf attachment: stipule

Stamens: 5

Leaf margin:  rolled under

Ovary: above petals

Leaf surface:  smooth, glands

Fruit: fleshy


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