# Manual of the New Zealand Flora/Myrtaceæ

Additions and Corrections
Order XXVIII. MYRTACEÆ.
Trees or shrubs, sometimes climbing. Leaves opposite, more rarely alternate or whorled, simple and entire, usually dotted with pellucid oil-glands and with a vein running parallel to the margin. Stipules generally absent. Flowers regular, usually hermaphrodite, solitary and axillary, or in axillary or terminal cymes panicles or racemes. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary up to the insertion of the stamens, limb 4–5 or many-cleft or -partite, persistent or deciduous, imbricate or valvate, sometimes entire or closed in bud. Petals as many as the calyx-lobes, rarely wanting, inserted on a disc lining the calyx-tube. Stamens usually numerous, inserted on the disc with the petals; filaments free or connate at the base or united into separate bundles; anthers small, roundish. Ovary inferior or semi-inferior, crowned by a fleshy disc, sometimes 1-celled with 1 or few ovules, more often 2- to many-celled with numerous ovules; style simple; stigma capitate. Fruit either crowned by the persistent calyx-limb or marked by its scar when deciduous, usually a capsule loculicidally dehiscing into as many valves as cells, or a 1- to many-seeded berry, more rarely dry and indehiscent. Seeds angular or compressed or cylindrical; albumen usually wanting.
A very large and distinct order, readily recognised by the opposite exstipulate entire leaves, furnished with a marginal vein, and filled with transparent oil-glands. The species are mainly tropical or subtropical; most abundant in South America and Australia, much less common in Asia and Africa; more frequent in the south temperate zone than in the north, where they are decidedly rare. Genera about 80; species probably not exceeding 1800. The order includes many plants of economic importance. Some produce valuable spices, as cloves, allspice; or edible fruits, as the guava, the rose-apple, brazil-nuts, &c.; others yield aromatic essential oils, as eucalyptus, cajeput, &c. The bark of most of the species is more or less astringent. Some of the species of Eucalyptus attain a height of over 400 ft., being probably the tallest trees in the world. Of the four New Zealand genera, Leptospermum extends through Australia as far as the Malay Archipelago; Metrosideros occurs in the Pacific and Malayan Islands, Australia, and South Africa; Eugenia is mainly tropical; and Myrtus mostly American.
| * Fruit capsular. |
| Leaves small, alternate. Flowers solitary or fascicled | 1. Leptospermum. |
| Leaves larger, opposite. Flowers usually handsome, cymose | 2. Metrosideros. |
| ** Fruit a berry. |
| Flowers usually solitary. Embryo curved, with a long radicle | 3. Myrtus. |
| Flowers cymose. Embryo thick and fleshy, radicle short | 4. Eugenia. |
1. LEPTOSPERMUM, Forst.
Shrubs or small trees, glabrous or silky-pubescent. Leaves small, alternate, entire. Flowers solitary or 2–3 together, axillary or at the ends of the branchlets, often polygamous. Calyx-tube campanulate or turbinate, adnate to the ovary below; lobes 5. Petals 5, spreading. Stamens numerous, free, in a single series; anthers versatile. Ovary inferior or half-superior, enclosed in the calyx-tube, 5- or more-celled, rarely 3–4-celled; style filiform; stigma capitate or peltate. Capsule woody or coriaceous, exceeding the calyx-tube or altogether included in it, opening loculicidally at the top. Seeds numerous in each cell, but most of them sterile, pendulous, linear or angular.
A genus of about 28 species, almost wholly Australian; a few only in New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the Malay Archipelago. One of the New Zealand species is also found in Australia, the remaining two are endemic.
| Leaves pungent. Flowers ⅓–½ in. diam., solitary. Calyx-lobes deciduous. Capsule half-exserted | 1. L. scoparium. |
| Leaves not pungent. Flowers 1/5 in. diam., usually fascicled. Calyx-lobes persistent. Capsule included in the calyx-tube | 2. L. ericoides. |
| Leaves not pungent, white with silky hairs. Flowers ¼ in. diam. Calyx-lobes persistent. Capsule deeply sunk within the calyx-tube | 3. L. Sinclairii. |
1. L. scoparium, Forst. Char. Gen. 72, t. 36.—A shrub or small tree, extremely variable in size, usually 6–18 ft. high, but sometimes dwarfed to a foot or two, occasionally reaching 20–25 ft. with a trunk 12–18 in. diam.; branches fastigiate or spreading; branchlets and young leaves silky. Leaves 1/6–1/2 in. long, variable in shape, linear or linear-lanceolate to broadly ovate, sessile, rigid, concave, acute and pungent-pointed, veinless, dotted, erect or spreading, rarely recurved. Flowers sessile, solitary, axillary or terminating the branchlets, ¼–½ in. diam. Calyx-tube broadly turbinate; lobes orbicular, deciduous. Petals orbicular, slightly clawed. Capsule woody, persistent, half sunk in the calyx-tube, which forms a rim round it, the free portion 5-valved.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 337; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 553; Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 69; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 69; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 117; Students' Fl. 157.
Var. myrtifolium, Hook. f. l.c.—Leaves ovate, spreading or recurved.
Var. parvum, Kirk, Students' Fl. 158.—1–3 ft. high. Leaves 1/8 in. long, ovate, spreading. Flowers smaller, 1/8–1/6 in.
Var. prostratum, Hook. f. l.c.—Small, often prostrate, branches ascending at the tips. Leaves ovate or almost orbicular, recurved. A mountain form.
2. L. ericoides, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 338.—A shrub or tree 20–60 ft. high, with a trunk 1–3 ft. diam.; bark loose, papery; branchlets slender, glabrous or the younger sparingly silky. Leaves fascicled or alternate, 1/6–1/2 in. long, very narrow-linear or linear-lanceolate, sometimes narrow linear-spathulate, acute but not pungent, concave, veinless, dotted, glabrous or slightly silky; margins often ciliate when young. Flowers 1/8–1/4 in. diam., axillary, solitary or fascicled, usually produced in great profusion; pedicels short, glabrous or silky. Calyx-tube turbinate; lobes ovate, acute, persistent. Petals orbicular, shortly clawed. Capsule small, turbinate, wholly included within the calyx-tube.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 554; Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 70; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 70; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 69; Students Fl. 158.
Var. lineatum, Kirk, l.c.—Smaller and more slender, 2–12 ft. high, usually more silky. Leaves narrower, 1/30–1/20 broad. Flowers smaller, 1/8 in. diam.
North and South Islands: Abundant from the North Cape to the Bluff, ascending to 3000 ft. Var. lineatum, from the North Cape to the Auckland Isthmus. Kanuka; Maru. November–January.
Easily distinguished from the preceding by its greater size, narrower leaves, smaller flowers, and much smaller capsules, which are entirely included in the calyx-tube. Wood durable; much used for piles, house-blocks, posts and rails, &c.
3. L. Sinclairii, T. Kirk, Students' Fl. 158.—A small prostrate or suberect shrub 1–5 ft. high; branches spreading; young shoots, leaves, pedicels, and calyces hoary with appressed silky hairs. Leaves ¼–½ in. long, linear-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute, flat or concave. Flowers larger than in L. ericoides, ¼ in. diam., on longer pedicels, often crowded towards the ends of the branchlets, forming rounded beads. Calyx-tube narrow-turbinate; lobes oblong or ovate, acute or obtuse, persistent. Petals obovate, clawed. Capsule narrow-turbinate, more deeply sunk within the calyx-tube than in L. ericoides.
North Island: Three Kings Islands, T. F. C.; Great Barrier Island, Hutton and Kirk! Sea-level to 1800 ft. November–January.
This is very close to L. ericoides. Its distinguishing characters are the smaller size, broader and flatter silky-hoary leaves, larger flowers, and more deeply sunk capsules.
2. METROSIDEROS, Banks.
Erect or climbing trees or shrubs. Leaves opposite, sometimes distichous, coriaceous. Flowers often handsome, white or red or crimson, usually disposed in terminal cymes or racemes. Calyx-tube adnate to the base of the ovary, campanulate, turbinate or urceolate; lobes 5, imbricate. Petals 5, spreading. Stamens very numerous, much longer than the petals; filaments filiform; anthers ​versatile. Ovary inferior or half-superior, 3-celled; style filiform; stigma small; ovules numerous in each cell. Capsule coriaceous, altogether enclosed in the persistent calyx-tube or protruding beyond it, 3-celled, loculicidally 3-valved or irregularly dehiscent. Seeds numerous, densely packed, linear; testa membranous.
In addition to the 11 species found in New Zealand, all but one of which are endemic, there are a few scattered through Polynesia, New Caledonia, Australia, and the Malay Archipelago, together with an aberrant species in South Africa. New Zealand is the only country which possesses climbing species.
| * Capsule coriaceous or woody, wholly enclosed in the calyx-tube, which is produced far beyond it, dehiscing irregularly or by 3 apical valves. |
| Climbing. Leaves obtuse. Calyx glabrous. Capsule large, ½–¾ in. | 1. M. florida. |
| Erect, 30–60 ft. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate. Calyx silky. Capsule ⅓ in. | 2. M. lucida. |
| A much-branched shrub. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute. Cymes usually on the old wood below the leaves | 3. M. Parkinsonii. |
| ** Capsule hardly coriaceous, wholly enclosed in the calyx-tube, which is produced far beyond it, dehiscing to the base. All climbers. |
| Leaves decussate, large, 1½–3 in., acute or acuminate. Flowers large, white, terminal | 4. M. albiflora. |
| Leaves decussate, smaller, ¾–1½ in., obtuse. Flowers crimson | 5. M. diffusa. |
| Leaves distichous, subacute. Branchlets glabrescent. Flowers always lateral | 6. M. hypericifolia. |
| Leaves distichous, acuminate. Branchlets pubescent. Flowers usually terminal | 7. M. Colensoi. |
| *** Capsule exserted beyond the calyx-tube, the free portion 3-valved. |
| Erect. Leaves decussate, glabrous, obtuse, 1–1½ in. long | 8. M. robusta. |
| Erect. Leases decussate, white with appressed tomentum beneath, 2–4 in. long | 9. M. tomentosa. |
| Erect. Leaves decussate, white with appressed tomentum beneath, ¾–2 in. long | 10. M. villosa. |
| Climbing. Leaves distichous, ⅓–½ in. long. Flowers white | 11. M. scandens. |
1. M. florida, Sm. in Trans. Linn. Soc. iii. (1797) 269.—Usually a tall woody climber, reaching the tops of lofty trees; stems long, cable-like, often 3–6 in. diam.; bark loose, separating in large flakes. Leaves 1½–3 in. long, shortly petioled, elliptic-oblong, obtuse, coriaceous, glabrous; midrib stout. Flowers orange-red, in few- or many-flowered terminal simple or branched cymes. Calyx obconic or turbinate, glabrous, produced beyond the ovary. Petals orbicular, yellowish-red. Stamens scarlet, very numerous, ¾–1 in. long. Ovary completely adnate with the base of the calyx-tube, 3-celled. Capsule deeply sunk within the persistent calyx, and with it forming a woody urceolate 5-ribbed fruit ½–¾ in. long, usually dehiscing by 3 valves within the calyx.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 333; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 559; Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 66. t. 15; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 70; Kirk, Forest ​Fl. t. 127; Students' Fl. 160. M. speciosa, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxii. (1890) 463. M. aurata, Col. l.c. xxiii. (1891) 385. Melaleuca florida, Forst. Prodr. n. 214. Leptospermum scandens, Forst. Char. Gen. 72.
North and South Islands: Common from the Three Kings Islands and the North Cape to Nelson and Marlborough. Sea-level to 2500ft. Aka. February–June.
According to Mr. J. W. Hall, the capsules require a whole year to ripen their seeds. Mr. Colenso's M. aurata, which is kept up as a variety by Mr. Kirk, only differs in the yellow flowers. It has been noticed in several districts from Auckland to Collingwood, but not more than a single specimen has been found in each locality. It can only be considered an accidental sport.
2. M. lucida, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 333.—Usually a tall erect branching tree 30–60 ft. high, but often dwarfed to a small bush in subalpine or exposed localities; bark pale, papery; branchlets and young leaves silky. Leaves 1½–3 in. long, elliptic-lanceolate or lanceolate, acuminate, very coriaceous, pale glossy-green above, dotted with oil-glands beneath, narrowed into a short stout petiole. Flowers bright-crimson, in short broad cymes at the ends of the branches; peduncles and pedicels short, stout, silky. Calyx obconic, silky; lobes 5, ovate, obtuse. Petals oblong, exceeding the calyx-lobes. Stamens numerous, 1 in. long. Ovary sunk in the calyx-tube, 3-celled. Capsule ⅓ in. long, coriaceous, broadly urceolate, obscurely 5-ribbed, crowned by the persistent cup-shaped calyx-limb.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 561; Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 67; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 71; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 58; Students Fl. 160. M. umbellata, Cav. Ic. iv. 20, t. 337. Agalmanthus umbellatus, Homb. & Jacq. Voy. Astrol. et Zél. Melaleuca lucida, Forst. Prodr. n. 216.
North Island: In hilly or mountain districts from Whangarei and the Great and Little Barrier Islands southwards, but often local. South Island, Stewart Island, Auckland Islands: Abundant throughout. Campbell Island: Rare. Sea-level to 3500ft. Mountain-rata. December–January.
Wood extremely strong, hard, heavy, and durable; useful for shipbuilding, &c.
3. M. Parkinsonii, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 339, t. 28, f. 2.—A much-branched shrub with straggling often prostrate branches, or a small tree 20–30 ft. high; trunk seldom more than 6–9 in. diam. Leaves 1–3 in. long, ovate-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate or elliptic-ovate, acute or acuminate, rounded at the base, coriaceous, quite glabrous; petioles very short. Flowers bright-crimson, usually in dense paniculate cymes springing from the branches below the leaves, but sometimes terminating the branchlets as well. Calyx-tube turbinate, glabrous; lobes 5, ovate, triangular, obtuse. Stamens 1 in. long. Ovary sunk in the calyx-tube, 3-celled. Capsule ¼ in. long, coriaceous, broadly campanulate, obscurely 5-ribbed, crowned by the persistent cup-shaped calyx-limb.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 160.
South Island: Nelson—Wakamarina Ranges, near Collingwood; Anatori Ranges; Heaphy River, W. S. Hayward! J. Ball! Buller Valley, Nine-mile Creek, R. J. Kingsley! Mount Rochfort, not uncommon, altitude 1000–2500 ft., W. Townson! Sea-level to 3000 ft. December–January.
A very handsome plant, which has the most restricted range of any of the New Zealand species.
4. M. albiflora, Sol. ex Gærtn. Fruct. i. 172, t. 34, f. 11.—A much-branched woody climber, glabrous in all its parts; branchlets terete, slender, often drooping. Leaves decussate, 1½–3½ in. long, elliptic-lanceolate or elliptic-ovate, acute or acuminate, glossy above, very coriaceous, narrowed at the base into a short stout petiole. Flowers white, in terminal much-branched paniculate cymes; pedicels pubescent. Calyx narrow-campanulate or almost tubular; lobes 5, ovate, obtuse, persistent. Petals exceeding the calyx-lobes, white, orbicular. Stamens and style filiform, ½–¾ in. long. Ovary adnate to the base of the calyx, 3-celled. Capsule ¼–⅓ in. long, splitting to the base into 3 valves when mature, urceolate, globose and 3-lobed below, crowned by the much narrower tubular calyx, the lobes of which are sharply refiexed at the top.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 67; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 71; Kirk, Students' Fl. 161. M. diffusa, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 560 (not of Smith); Hook. Ic. Plant, t. 569.
North Island: Forests from Mongonui and Hokianga southwards to the East Cape, but often local. Ascends to 2800 ft. December–January.
A very handsome species, easily recognised by the large broad leaves and large panicles of white flowers.
5. M. diffusa, Sm. in Trans. Linn. Soc. iii. (1797) 268.—A tall and stout woody climber reaching the tops of the highest trees; young branchlets, inflorescence, and calyces pubescent or setose. Leaves ¾–1½ in. long, very shortly petioled, elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong or ovate, obtuse or subacute, very coriaceous. Flowers very abundantly produced, bright-crimson, in terminal or rarely axillary much-branched cymes. Calyx-tube narrow-oblong, suddenly expanded into a broad cup-shaped limb; lobes 5, broadly oblong, persistent. Petals orbicular, shortly clawed; margins usually fimbriate or jagged. Ovary wholly adnate to the base of the calyx-tube. Capsule ⅓ in. long, globose, rather coriaceous, 3- or 6-ribbed, 3-celled, loculicidally dehiscing to the base, crowned by the short cup-shaped calyx-limb.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 67; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 71; Kirk, Students' Fl. 161.
North Island: Not uncommon in forests from Mongonui and Ahipara to the East Cape and Taranaki. Sea-level to 2000 ft. September–October.
A most brilliant plant when in full bloom, well worthy of cultivation.
6. M. hypericifolia, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 562.—A climbing shrub; branches slender, spreading, obscurely tetragonous, usually minutely pubescent. Leaves distichous, ⅓–1 in. long, oblong-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate or ovate-oblong, acute or apiculate or ​obtuse, rounded at the base, sessile, rather membranous, glabrous or slightly silky when young. Flowers small, pink or whitish-pink, in small lateral few-flowered cymes or racemes; pedicels slender, glabrous or pubescent. Calyx-tube pyriform, suddenly expanded into a short and broad cup-shaped limb; lobes 5, ovate-triangular. Petals orbicular, shortly clawed, exceeding the calyx-lobes. Stamens slender, ⅓ in. long. Ovary wholly aduate to the base of the calyx-tube. Capsule small, 1/8–1/6 in. long, globose, 3-lobed, crowned by the funnel-shaped calyx-limb, loculicidally 3-valved to the base.—Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 67, t. 16; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 71; Kirk, Students' Fl. 161. M. subsimilis, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xii. (1880) 361.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Abundant in forests from the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 2000 ft. November–January.
The smallest species of the genus. The flowers are occasionally quite white, and are always produced on the old wood, never terminal.
7. M. Colensoi, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 68.—A slender climbing shrub with numerous very slender leafy terete or obscurely tetragonous branches; branchlets densely pubescent or setose. Leaves distichous, often imbricating, sessile or very shortly petioled, ⅓–¾ in. long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, rounded at the base, almost membranous, densely pubescent when young, often becoming almost glabrous when mature. Flowers small, pink or whitish, in terminal or lateral trichotomous cymes which are rarely more than 1½ in. long; peduncles and pedicels silky-pubescent. Calyx-tube funnel-shaped, much longer than the ovary, pubescent; lobes small, narrow-triangular, acute, as long as or slightly longer than the small orbicular petals. Ovary wholly adnate to the base of the calyx-tube. Capsule small, 1/6–1/5 in. long, globose, 3-lobed, crowned by the long funnel-shaped calyx-limb, loculicidallv 3-valved to the base.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 72; Kirk, Students Fl. 162.
Var. pendens, Kirk, l.c.—Branchlets much more slender, almost filiform,, pendulous. Flowers white.—M. pendens, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xii. (1880) 360.
North and South Islands: In forests from the Bay of Islands (Handbook) to Nelson and Marlborough, but far from common. December–January.
Allied to the preceding species, but easily distinguished by the much more slender habit, pubescent branchlets, and by the thinner much more acuminate and usually pubescent leaves. I have seen no specimens from the north of the Waikato River.
8. M. robusta, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 557.—A tall and stout forest-tree, 60–80 or even 100ft. high; trunk irregular, 3–8 ft. diam. or more; branches spreading, forming a huge rounded head; branchlets 4-angled, puberulous. Leaves decussate, 1–1½ in. long, elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, glabrous, ​very coriaceous; petioles short, stout, glabrous or puberulous. Flowers dark-scarlet, very abundantly produced, in broad and dense terminal many-flowered cymes; peduncles and pedicels short, stout, pubescent. Calyx-tube short, obconic; lobes short and broad, triangular. Petals exceeding the calyx-lobes, orbicular. Ovary adnate to the base of the calyx-tube and included within it during the flowering stage. Capsule small, oblong, ¼–⅓ in. long, half-superior, girt round the middle by the rim of the calyx-tube, the free upper part loculicidally 3-valved.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 68, t. 17; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 72; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 128; Students' Fl. 162. M. florida, Hook. Bot. Mag. t. 4471 (not of Smith).
Var. retusa, Kirk, l.c.—Leaves shorter, ½–¾ in. long, elliptic, rounded at both ends, retuse.—Two specimens in Mr. Kirk's herbarium, from Lowry Bay, Wellington.
North and South Islands: Abundant in forests from the North Cape southwards to Marlborough. Nelson, and Westland. Sea-level to 3000ft. Rata. December–January.
A magnificent tree, sometimes reaching a gigantic size, specimens having been measured with trunks over 20 ft. diam. It usually (but not invariably) commences life as an epiphyte in the upper branches of some tall forest-tree, sending to the ground aerial roots, which coalesce and form a trunk after the death of the supporting plant. Terrestrial specimens are frequently seen, but these either have no trunk at all, keeping during life the habit of a much-branched bushy shrub, or produce a short, straight trunk of no great size. The timber is strong, hard, and durable, and is much employed for wheelwrights' work, framework for machinery, wagons, &c., and for shipbuilding.
9. M. tomentosa, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 336, t. 37.—Usually a much-branched tree 30–70 ft. high, with a short stout trunk 2–6 ft. diam., and large wide-spreading branches, but sometimes dwarfed to a few feet in height; branchlets stout, terete, tomentose. Leaves decussate, very variable in size and shape, 1–4 in. long, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate to oblong or broadly oblong, acute or obtuse, rounaed at the base, very thick and coriaceous, usually clothed with white tomentum beneath, rarely glabrous; margins flat or recurved; petioles short, stout. Flowers large, dark-crimson, in broad terminal many-flowered cymes; peduncles and pedicels stout, and with the calyces clothed with dense white tomentum. Calyx-tube obconic; lobes short, deltoid. Petals oblong, obtuse, exceeding the calyx-tube. Stamens numerous, 1¼–1½ in. long. Ovary 3-celled, adnate to the base of the calyx-tube, and sunk within it during the flowering stage. Capsule ⅓ in. long, half-superior, woody, tomentose, girt round the middle by the persistent calyx-limb, the free upper part loculicidally 3-valved.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 558; Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 68; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 72; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 118; Students' Fl. 163.
10. M. villosa, Sm. in Trans. Linn. Soc. iii. (1797) 268.—A much-branched tree 20–60ft. high, trunk 1–4 ft. diam.; branchlets, undersurface of leaves, inflorescence, and calyces densely covered with white tomentum. Leaves decussate, ¾–2 in. long, broadly ovate or broadly oblong, sometimes almost orbicular, obtuse at both ends, very coriaceous; margins recurved; petioles short, stout. Flowers scarlet, in small terminal many-flowered cymes; peduncles and pedicels short, stout. Calyx-tube broadly obconic; lobes short, deltoid, with a gland at the tip. Petals broadly oblong, exceeding the calyx-lobes. Stamens ½–¾ in. long. Ovary 3-celled, adnate to the base of the calyx-tube. Capsule ¼ in. long, half-superior, woody, tomentose, girt at the middle by the persistent calyx-limb, the free portion loculicidally 3-valved.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 163. M. polymorpha, Gaud. in Freyc. Voy. Bot. 482, t. 85; Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 73; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 119.
Kermadec Islands: Sunday Island, the most abundant tree, ascending to the tops of the hills, altitude 1700 ft. August–December.
A common plant in many of the Polynesian islands, varying greatly in size, shape of the leaves, presence or absence of tomentum, &c. The above description refers solely to the Kermadec Island variety.
11. M. scandens, Sol. ex Gærtn. Fruct. i. 172, t. 34, f. 10.—A tall woody climber, reaching the tops of the highest trees; branches numerous, spreading, terete; branchlets tomentose or setose. Leaves distichous, sessile, ⅓–½ in. long, broadly ovate or broadly oblong to orbicular, obtuse, very coriaceous, glabrous and shining above, paler, glandular-punctate and often pilose beneath; margins recurved. Flowers small, white, in pedunculate 3-flowered cymes crowded towards the ends of the branches, forming a leafy terminal panicle; peduncles and pedicels pubescent. Calyx-tube short, broadly turbinate; lobes short and broad, obtuse, persistent. Petals orbicular, white. Stamens slender, ⅓ in. long. Ovary 3–celled, adnate to the base of the calyx-tube, and sunk in it during the flowering stage. Capsule globose, 1/6 in. diam., half-superior, girt round the middle by the persistent calyx-limb, the free portion loculicidally 3-valved.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 69; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 73; Kirk, Students' Fl. 163. M. perforata, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 334. M. buxifolia, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 556; Hook. Bot. Mag. t. 4515. M. vesiculata, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 327. M. tenuifolia. Col. l.c. xxiv. (1892) 386. Melaleuca perforata, Forst. Prodr. n. 212. Leptospermum perforatum, Forst. Char. Gen. 72.
North and South Islands: Abundant in forests from the Three Kings Islands and North Cape to Marlborough and Nelson. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Aka. January–March.
I have seen no specimens from further south than Marlborough, but it has been recorded from Banks Peninsula and the Auckland Islands, I believe erroneously. Mr. Colenso's M. tenuifolia, as proved by the type specimens in his herbarium, is based upon the young plant, which has slender glabrous stems and almost membranous leaves. His M. vesiculata is a state in which the glands on the undersurface of the leaves and calyces are more conspicuous than usual.
3. MYRTUS, Linn.
Shrubs or rarely trees, glabrous or pubescent or tomentose. Leaves opposite, often coriaceous, pellucid-dotted. Flowers axillary, solitary or in few-flowered cymes. Calyx-tube subglobose or turbinate; lobes 4–5, usually persistent. Petals 4–5, spreading. Stamens very numerous, in many series, free, longer than the petals. Ovary inferior, completely or imperfectly 2–3-celled; ovules numerous in each cell. Fruit a globose or ovoid berry, crowned with the persistent calyx-limb. Seeds few or many, reniform or almost globose; testa crustaceous or bony. Embryo terete, curved or annular; cotyledons small; radicle long.
Species about 100, most of them natives of South America, a few extending to Mexico and the West Indies. There are also 9 or 10 Australian species, and 1 (the common myrtle) widely spread over southern Europe and western Asia. The 4 New Zealand species are all endemic.
| Leaves 1–2 in. long, tumid between the veins | 1. M. bullata. |
| Leaves ⅔–1 in. long, flat | 2. M. Ralphii. |
| Leaves ¼–½ in., obcordate. Calyx 4-lobed | 3. M. obcordata. |
| Leaves ¼–½ in., obovate. Calyx 5-lobed | 4. M. pedunculata. |
1. M. bullata, Sol. ex A. Cunn. Precur. n. 565.—An erect shrub, usually from 10 to 15 ft., but sometimes taller and becoming a small tree 20–25 ft. high; branchlets and young leaves tomentose. Leaves 1–2 in. long, reddish-brown, shortly petioled, broadly ovate or orbicular-ovate, obtuse or acute or apiculate, coriaceous, the surface tumid or blistered between the veins. Flowers axillary, solitary, ½ in. diam., white. Peduncles longer or shorter than the leaves, tomentose. Calyx 2-bracteolate at the base; lobes 4, obtuse or subacute. Petals orbicular, white. Berry ⅓ in. long, broadly ovoid, dark-red, becoming almost black when fully ripe, 2-celled. Seeds numerous, in 2 series in each cell, reniform; testa bony.—Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 557; Bot. Mag. t. 4809; Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 70; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 74; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 131; Students' Fl. 164.
North Island: Common in woods from the North Cape to Cook Strait. South Island: Various localities in Marlborough and Nelson, rare. Ascends to 2000 ft. Ramarama. December–January.
Easily distinguished by the tumid or blistered surface of the leaves, and by the calyx and petals being covered with minute warts. The peduncles are sometimes 2-flowered.
​2. M. Ralphii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. ii. 329.—An erect branching shrub 6–15 ft. high, rarely taller and becoming a small tree; branchlets very slender, and with the young leaves sparingly tomentose. Leaves ⅔–1 in. long, usually green, shortly petioled, ovate or oblong-ovate to orbicular-ovate, obtuse or acute, thinly coriaceous or almost membranous, the surface flat or very slightly tumid between the veins. Flowers quite as in M. bullata but slightly smaller. Berry ¼–⅓ in. long, broadly ovoid, dark-red, 2-celled. Seeds much fewer than in M. bullata.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 74; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 94; Students' Fl. 165.
North Island: From Whangarei to Cook Strait, but often local. South Island: Nelson and Marlborough, rare. Sea-level to 1500ft. December–January.
Very closely allied to M. bullata, but the leaves are smaller, usually green,, with the surface plane or very slightly tumid; and the berry has fewer seeds.
3. M. obcordata, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 71.—A much-branched shrub 5–15 ft. high; branches slender, spreading, the younger ones pubescent. Leaves opposite or in opposite fascicles, 1/5–1/2 in. long, obcordate, narrowed into a short puberulous petiole, coriaceous, glabrous on both surfaces or slightly silky when young. Flowers solitary, axillary, ¼ in. diam., white. Peduncles as long as the leaves, pubescent. Calyx 4-lobed; lobes oblong, acute. Petals 4, orbicular. Berry ¼ in. long, broadly ovoid, dark-red or violet, 2-celled. Seeds 1–2 in each cell, reniform; testa bony.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 74; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 70; Students' Fl. 165. Eugenia obcordata, Raoul in Ann. Sci. Nat. Ser. iii. 2 (1844) 122.
North and South Islands: In woods from Whangarei to Foveaux Strait, but local north of the East Cape. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Rohutu. December–January.
4. M. pedunculata, Hook. f. in Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 629.—A much-branched compact or diffuse shrub 5–15 ft. high; branches, slender, glabrous, 4-angled. Leaves opposite, ¼–¾ in. long, obovate or obovate-oblong or oblong-ovate, rounded at the tip, rarely acute, coriaceous, glabrous, narrowed into short petioles. Flowers axillary, solitary, ¼ in. diam., white. Peduncles slender, glabrous, longer or shorter than the leaves. Calyx glabrous, 5-lobed, 2-bracteolate at the base. Petals 5, rounded. Berry small, ¼ in. long, broadly ovoid, red or yellowish, 2-celled. Seeds 2-5.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 71; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 74; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 112; Students' Fl. 165. Eugenia vitis-idæa, Raoul in Ann. Sci. Nat. Ser. iii. 2 (1844) 122.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: From Hokianga and the Bay of Islands southwards, but often local. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Rohutu. December–January.
Closely allied to M. obcordata, but easily recognised by the glabrous branchlets, obovate leaves rounded at the tip, and 5-lobed calyx.
4. EUGENIA, Linn.
Shrubs or trees, glabrous or rarely tomentose or villous. Leaves opposite, penniveined. Flowers solitary and axillary, or in terminal or lateral cymes or panicles. Calyx-tube globose to narrow-turbinate; lobes 4, rarely 5. Petals the same number as the calyx-lobes. Stamens numerous, in manv series. Ovary 2- or rarely 3-celled; style filifonn; stigma small; ovules numerous in each cell. Fruit a berry, rarely dry and fibrous, crowned by the persistent calyx-limb. Seeds solitary or few, globose or variously compressed; testa membranous or cartilaginous. Embryo thick and fleshy; radicle short; cotyledons thick, more or less united or distinct.
An immense genus of more than 700 species, spread over the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. There is little to separate it from Myrtus except the thick and fleshy embryo with a short radicle. The single New Zealand species is endemic.
1. E. maire, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 564.—A small tree 20–50 ft. high, perfectly glabrous in all its parts; trunk 1–2 ft. diam., with white bark; branchlets slender, 4-angled. Leaves opposite, 1–2 in. long, oblong-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, acute or acuminate, rather membranous, narrowed into short slender petioles. Flowers ½ in. diam., sometimes almost unisexual, white, in terminal many-flowered corymbose panicles 1½–3 in. broad; pedicels slender, glabrous. Calyx-tube broadly obconic; lobes very short, broad, deciduous. Petals orbicular, falling avvay early. Stamens slender, ½–⅔ in. long. Ovary wholly adnate to the base of the calyx-tube, 2-celled; ovules numerous. Berry ½ in. long, ovoid, red, crowned by the persistent calyx-limb, 1-celled. Seed solitarv, large; testa hard, coriaceous.—Raoul, Choix. 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 71; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 74; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 122; Students' Fl. 165.
North Island: Swampy forests from the North Cape southwards, abundant. South Island: Queen Charlotte Sound and Pelorus Valley, J. Rutland. Sea-level to 1500 ft. Maire-tawake. March–May.
Wood hard, dense, and durable; valuable for cabinet-work, turnery, &c.