Melicytus ramiflorus, commonly known as māhoe, hinahina, and whiteywood, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Violaceae. This species is characterised by its flowers and purple fruits, which grow directly from woody stems, a trait known as ramiflory. A distinct feature of this plant are the skeletonised leaves on the leaf litter, where the leaves retain their veins even after the rest of the tissue has decayed. There are two recognised subspecies of this plant: M. ramiflorus subsp. ramiflorus endemic to New Zealand, and subsp. oblongifolius endemic to Norfolk Island.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Māhoe being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Malpighiales
- Family
- Violaceae
- Genus
- Melicytus
- Species
- Melicytus ramiflorus
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