Melicytus ramiflorus

Melicytus ramiflorus is a shrub or small tree in the family Violaceae. It reaches in height, with a trunk reaching in diameter, typically branched from near the base. The bark is greyish-white in colour, while the underside is bright green. The wood is soft, pale-brown or white-coloured, and brittle. Leaves are thick and fleshy. They are long, light to dark green in colour, narrow to oval-shaped; tips are pointed to long-pointed, or rarely blunt in character. The margins are coarsely serrated, rarely nearly smooth or irregularly toothed. They are arranged in an alternating pattern. A distinct feature of M. ramiflorus are the skeletonised leaves on the leaf litter, where the leaves retain their veins even after the rest of the tissue has decayed. Melicytus ramiflorus is characterised by its flowers and purple fruits, which grow directly from the woody stems, a trait known as ramiflory. Flowering occurs from November to February. The inflorescences (flower clusters) grow either from the stems directly or at the end of them. Each flower is 3–4 mm in diameter. They are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate plants. The pedicels are 5–10 mm long. The petals are typically greenish-yellow in colour. Fruits are found in berries which are violet, dark blue or purple in colour, 4–5 mm in diameter, ovoid-like to globe-shaped in character. Fruiting occurs from November to March. There are three–six, potentially ten, seeds per berry. M. ramiflorus has a diploid chromosome count of 32. ==Taxonomy==

The plant was first described by the German naturalists Georg and Johann Reinhold Forster in 1776. There are nineteen species of the Melicytus genus currently accepted by the Plants of the World Online taxonomic database. These species are native to Australia and several islands in the Pacific. Mitchell et al. (2009) suggested that Melicytus first diverged in New Zealand, and then diverged elsewhere. Historic classifications identified four subspecies within M. ramiflorus, including subsp. oblongifolius from Norfolk Island, subsp. fastigiata from Fiji, and subsp. samoensis from Samoa. Art Whistler argues that each of these should be treated as separate species rather than subspecies. The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network followed that opinion. The Plants of the World Online taxonomic database recognises two subspecies of Melicytus ramiflorus: • Melicytus ramiflorus subsp. ramiflorus — native to mainland New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands • Melicytus ramiflorus subsp. oblongifolius — native to the Norfolk Islands Etymology The etymology (word origin) of the genus name, Melicytus, is uncertain, but is possibly derived from the Greek words (meli), meaning 'honey', and (kytos), meaning 'hollow container', literally meaning 'honey-cave'. The specific epithet (second part of the scientific name), ramiflorus, means 'branch-flowering', from the Latin , meaning 'branch', and meaning 'flower'. The species is commonly known as māhoe, hinahina, and whiteywood. In older sources, the plant is sometimes called cowleaf or cowtree, referring to the plant being used as fodder given to livestock. ==Ecology==

Melicytus ramifloruss seeds are dispersed by fruit-eating animals (frugivores), such as birds and lizards. M. ramiflorus is pollinated by insects, although the nectar may be collected by bees, birds, flies, and thrips. Burrows (1995) recorded M. ramifloruss fruits are eaten by kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), New Zealand bellbirds (Anthornis melanura), common blackbirds (Turdus merula), and silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis). Several other birds have been recorded eating the fruits, such as, tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), kōkako (Callaeas sp.), whiteheads (Mohoua albicilla), and kākāriki (Cyanoramphus sp.). Deer, cattle, goats, horses, and possums eat the leaves. Several beetles and insects feed on the plant, including the lemon tree borer (Oemona hirta) and the sharp-tipped bell moth (Epalxiphora axenana). The tunnelling by insect larvae is then inhabited by wētā. Powlesland (1984) studied the reproductive biology of three New Zealand Melicytus species and their floral visitors. M. ramifloruss flowers were especially visited by the native bluebottle (Calliphora quadrimaculata), a fly species. A species of ear fungus, Auricularia cornea, is often found on the trunks. The lichen Pyrenula moniliformis is only known to grow on M. ramiflorus trees located in the Auckland Region. A species of algal pathogen, Cephaleuros lagerheimii, can be found on M. ramiflorus. Melicytus ramiflorus has low to moderate flammability rates, according to Wyse et al. (2016). Dawson & Lucas (2011) states that, during flowering, M. ramiflorus can be semideciduous, meaning they partially lose their leaves during a period of time. Leaf loss can also be caused by the māhoe moth (Feredayia graminosa). M. ramiflorus has been suspected in causing deaths in cattle. Aston (1923) mentioned a veterinarian reported the branches and leaves may cause poisonings, but did not specify a toxin responsible for this. There have not been any other records of the plant being poisonous. ==Distribution==

Melicytus ramiflorus subsp. ramiflorus is endemic to New Zealand, M. ramiflorus subsp. oblongifolius is endemic to the Norfolk Islands. M. ramiflorus is found throughout the North and South Islands, although its present on Stewart Island is rare. The New Zealand botanist Donald Petrie reported its presence there. The New Zealand botanist Thomas Kirk stated in his 1889 revision of the New Zealand flora that the species is "evidently rare in that locality". Dawson & Lucas (2011) mentions it is found there, however Crowe (2009) does not mention it. M. ramiflorus subsp. ramifloruss 2023 assessment in the New Zealand Threat Classification System was "Not Threatened". Habitat Melicytus ramiflorus commonly inhabits lowland to lower montane envrionments. It is often found in mixed angiosperm-podocarp forests, reaching above sea level at maximum elevation. M. ramiflorus prefers moist, new surfaces, such as, glacial moraine and river banks. It can also be found on stony soils on terraces and landslides. It is commonly associated with other light-demanding species, such as, wineberry (Aristotelia serrata), mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium), and red matipō (Myrsine australis). ==Uses==

There are several recorded Māori language names for the plant, including, , , and . The primary use of M. ramiflorus for the indegenous Māori people was using the wood to generate fire by friction. The primary use of the plant for European settlers was the burnt wood in the production of gunpowder. In traditional Māori medicinal practices, the inner bark was used to treat skin conditions and burns. The leaves were also of medicinal use. Another use for Māori was the black juice from the berries being used for tattoos (). ==References==

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