Melicytus flexuosus

Melicytus flexuosus
In Otago, New Zealand

Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Melicytus
Species:
M. flexuosus
Binomial name
Melicytus flexuosus
B.P.J.Molloy & A.P.Druce

Melicytus flexuosus is a species of plant in the family Violaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It lives in both the North and the South Island.[3]

Description

The plant can grow as tall as 5m. It is a grey, tangled, branchy shrub.[3] The leaves are normally hidden inside the outer branches. The fruit may be spread by lizards.[4]

Taxonomy

This species was formerly placed under Melicytus dentatus.[4] It was described by New Zealand botanists Brian Molloy and Tony Druce.[4]

References

  1. ^ de Lange, P.J. (1998). "Melicytus flexuosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T38401A10114395. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T38401A10114395.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Melicytus flexuosus". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Melicytus flexuosus Molloy & A.P.Druce - Biota of NZ". Biota of NZ. Retrieved 18 August 2025.