The MGS Forum

Plant identification => Plant identification => Topic started by: John on September 03, 2011, 03:51:40 PM

Title: IDd as Melicytus novae-zelandiae or Coastal Mahoe
Post by: John on September 03, 2011, 03:51:40 PM

This is almost a guess what this is picture though I'm pretty sure I know the genus I haven't yet found the species so I thought I'd post it. I do think we have a forum member who should be able to identify it though!

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 03, 2011, 08:12:02 PM

What I find amazing is that although I believe that I know what genus this is I cannot find any reference to it on line, so far!

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: oron peri on September 03, 2011, 10:57:14 PM

And may we know which genus you refer to?

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 03, 2011, 11:44:27 PM

Nope.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: MikeHardman on September 04, 2011, 07:18:48 AM

Hmmm... Is it a New Zealander?

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: Daisy on September 04, 2011, 07:31:39 AM

It reminds me a little bit, of an eleagnus.
Daisy :)

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 04, 2011, 08:07:06 AM

No to Eleagnus but... I wondered where Mike was! Yes to New Zealand. At least I'm pretty sure it is. As I said I don't actually know the species and I don't know the total distribution of the genus.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: MikeHardman on September 04, 2011, 09:16:38 AM

Aha! 
I thought I saw hints of Olearia in the stems/leaves (obviously not the flowers).
Thinking cap back on now...

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 04, 2011, 09:27:23 AM

I had assumed you knew it when you said New Zealand.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: pamela on September 04, 2011, 09:58:07 AM

Hello John
Is it a Mahoe? (Maori name) I don't know the latin name for it but the picture does look like a New Zealand native, many of which have small white and often insignificant flowers.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: MikeHardman on September 04, 2011, 10:16:41 AM

No John; just a feel.
I'm torn between Pittosporaceae and Melicytus.
I'll go for Melicytus.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 04, 2011, 10:40:50 AM

Yes indeed. Violaceae! I also realised why I couldn't find it on the internet as I had it spelt wrong. I now think it's Melicytus ramiflorus. Do you agree?
I photographed it in the Ventnor Botanic Gardens in April a few years ago. It has a subtle charm about it and I presume evergreen leaves.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 04, 2011, 12:50:40 PM

Sorry Pamela I missed your reply. I do believe it's common name is Mahoe now I've looked it up.
Perhaps this subjects title can be change to Melicytus ramiflorus if and when the consensus is that this is correct?

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: MikeHardman on September 04, 2011, 01:00:51 PM

I'm not convinced it is M. ramiflorus.
I favour Melicytus novae-zelandiae (A. Cunningham) P.S. Green.
Have a look at this drawing from Cheeseman, T.F. 1914. Illustrations of the New Zealand Flora. Vol. 1. Pl. 14 (http://128.253.177.181/imgs/ws1/r/Violaceae_Hymenanthera_novae-zelandiae_20346.html).
I think that drawing fits rather well with your photo (better than with photos and drawings I have seen labelled M. ramiflorus).
I am looking at leaf shape, disposition of flowers on the stem, and form of the flowers.
What do you think, John?

The species epithet has been on the move...
Originally coined by Allan Cunningham as a species of Scaevola in 1838/9, hence:  Scaevola novae-zelandiae A. Cunningham.
Then William Hemsley moved the species from Scaevola to Hymenanthera in 1908, hence:  Hymenanthera novae-zelandiae (A. Cunningham) Hemsley.
Then Peter Green moved it from Hymenanthera to Melicytus in 1970, hence:  Melicytus novae-zelandiae (A. Cunningham) P.S. Green.

Of some interest, re Melicytus in New Zealand in general -
http://www.oratianatives.co.nz/catalogue_extras.php?article_id=70 (http://www.oratianatives.co.nz/catalogue_extras.php?article_id=70).
It points out there are 11 species of M. in NZ.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 04, 2011, 02:36:00 PM

Yes thanks, you are probably right. There are very few photo's of it but it does seem to have thicker leaves than M. ramiflorus. It is a coastal species which might also explain the thicker leathery leaves. Also the pictures of M. ramiflorus all seem to have yellowish flowers with no discernible brown tinge. Although I couldn't (quickly) find a photograph of M. novae-zelandiae in flower, just in leaf. So should we go for Melicytus novae-zelandiae?

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: MikeHardman on September 04, 2011, 05:49:43 PM

That's the best I can come up with. Happy enough to go with that for now.
Like you, I would like to see a few photos to help confidence (photos of all the species of Melicytus, not just M. novae-zelandiae; there are some others I haven't found.)

Thanks, John, for posting this photo. Interesting for me to see such Viola-relatives.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: pamela on September 04, 2011, 07:45:32 PM

Hello John ...was I right ...was it a Mahoe????

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on September 05, 2011, 12:03:32 AM

Well Pamela we seem to have decided it is probably Coastal Mahoe which I think the information I found said it was restricted to coastal areas of northern North Island.

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: Marilyn on October 20, 2011, 04:37:46 PM

Did the flowers, being such diminuitive characters, have a fragrance?

Title: Re: Shrub
Post by: John on October 20, 2011, 06:54:35 PM

I honestly can't remember. I suspect either not or not necessarily lovely!