Botanical name:

Melicytus micranthus

Common name(s):

Swamp mahoe, manakura

About:

Melicytus micranthus is a shrub that can grow to a small tree, characterised by its stiff and interlaced branches that create a dense appearance. The leaves of this plant feature particularly pronounced veins, which add to their unique aesthetic, and they can be found either solitary or grouped in clusters. The margins of the leaves exhibit shallow rounded teeth, contributing further to their distinctive look, and while the shape of the leaves can vary, they are most commonly widest at the middle, giving them a striking silhouette.

Natural habitat:

Lowland forest, scrub and forest margins, especially on drier sites and on alluvial ground.

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Local in Eastern Canterbury, rare in Westland.

Height: 2m

Flowering:

October – April with a white or yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November – May with a violet or purple coloured fruit.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings, Forests.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though