Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Myrsinaceae
Genus: Myrsine
Species: M. chathamica
Binomial name: Myrsine chathamica
Synonyms: Suttonia chathamica, Rapanea chathamica.
Common names: Chatham Island matipo, Chatham Island mapou.
Myrsine chathamica is a stout, densely branched, spreading tree up to 8 m tall. It has bisexual flowers on some plants and only female flowers on other plants. It is abundant on the Chatham Islands and occasional on some islands and headlands of Stewart Island and the Foveaux Strait area. It is a forest species ranging from coastal sites to the inland areas.
During September – October yellowish 2-3mm flowers with prominent red oil gland appear. The trees pale purple (10mm) fruit follow during summer to winter.
For more details visit:
http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.asp?ID=1008
Photographed at Otari Wilton Bush Reserve November.
The top surface of a leaf.
The underside of a leaf.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
