Botanical name:

Melicytus crassifolius

Common name(s):

Thick-leaved mahoe

About:

A resilient plant that thrives in coastal regions as well as in the challenging conditions of harsh rocky inland areas, where it has the ability to form thick, springy mats characterised by its spiky nature, thanks to its stout branches. Additionally, this versatile plant can grow into a robust shrub reaching approximately 1 meter in height. It features small, leathery, oval-shaped leaves and produces delicate tiny yellow flowers during the spring and summer months, which are then succeeded by attractive white berries. This plant serves as an excellent contrast specimen, adding visual interest to any landscape.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lowland (0-300 m a.s.l.). Usually coastal in open grey scrub, on talus and alluvial terraces, cobble beaches, cliff faces, and in coarse stable sand dunes (especially swales). Inland it may be found in open grassland, amongst kanuka stands (K. ericoides) and along river flats.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Drought, Salt, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North and South Islands. In the North present from Cape Turnagain and Paekakariki south to Cape Palliser and Te Rawhiti, also on the smaller near shore islands as well as Kapiti and Mana Islands. In the South Island in the Marlborough Sounds east and south to about Kaikoura 

Height: 1m

Flowering: 

August - January with a green or yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

October – May with a white fruit.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bees food & Forests & Pioneer Plantings.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and can be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings. An attractive and very hardy shrub ideal for windy situations. Very drought tolerant once established. Does best in open, sunny, free draining soils.

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