Whitey wood, Mahoe
Melicytus ramiflorus
Family: Violaceae
What it is like
A slender shrub or small tree. It grows 5-10 m tall. It is often spreading. The bark is greyish-white. The leaves are papery. The leaf stalk is 10-15 mm long. The leaves are oval and pointed. They are bright green with a serrated edge. The male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. The fruit is a round berry. It is 3-4 mm across. It is mauve when ripe. They occur in clusters on female trees.
There are 5-14 Melicytus species. They grow in the Pacific.
Where it is found
A subtropical plant. It is common throughout New Zealand. Some subspecies occur in Norfolk island, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Samoa. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
American Samoa, Australia, Britain, Europe, Fiji, New Zealand (country/location of origin), Norfolk Island, Pacific, Solomon Islands, Tasmania, Tonga
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
It grows quickly.