Myrsine

Myrsine
Myrsine alyxifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Myrsinaceae
Genus:	Myrsine L.
Species
See text.
Synonyms
Rapanea Suttonia A.Rich.

Myrsine is a genus of flowering plants, the nominate genus of the family Myrsinaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It contains several hundred species including several notable radiations, such as the matipo of New Zealand and the kōlea of Hawaiʻi. In the United States, members of this genus are known as colicwood.

The leathery, evergreen leaves are simple and alternate, with smooth margins and without stipules. The one-seeded, indehiscent fruit is a thin-fleshed globose drupe. The flowers and fruits often do not develop till after leaf fall and thus appear naked on the branches. The fruits often do not mature until the year after flowering. The calyx and style are long persistent.

The New Zealand native plants formerly included in the genera Rapanea and Suttonia have now been included in Myrsine. Note that "Black Matipo" (Pittosporum tenuifolium) is not related to Myrsine.

In addition to the New Zealand Myrsine species, there are dozens of species found in this genus elsewhere in the world. Some species, especially M. africana, are grown as ornamental shrubs.

Selected Species

• Myrsine adamsonii
• Myrsine andersonii
• Myrsine aquilonia
• Myrsine argentea
• Myrsine australis
• Myrsine brachyclada
• Myrsine brownii
• Myrsine bullata
• Myrsine chathamica
• Myrsine collina
• Myrsine coxii
• Myrsine degeneri
• Myrsine diazii
• Myrsine divaricata
• Myrsine falcata
• Myrsine fasciculata
• Myrsine fernseei
• Myrsine fosbergii
• Myrsine fusca
• Myrsine gracilissima
• Myrsine hartii
• Myrsine hosakae
• Myrsine howittiana
• Myrsine kermadecensis
• Myrsine knudsenii
• Myrsine longifolia
• Myrsine mezii
• Myrsine neo-zealandensiss = M. montana
• Myrsine niauensis
• Myrsine nukuhivensis
• Myrsine nummularia
• Myrsine obovata
• Myrsine oliveri
• Myrsine orohenensis
• Myrsine pearce
• Myrsine petiolata
• Myrsine raiateensis
• Myrsine rapensis
• Myrsine reynelii
• Myrsine rivularis
• Myrsine ronuiensis
• Myrsine salicina
• Myrsine sodiroana
• Myrsine tahuatensis
• Myrsine umbricola

References

• Ngā Tipu Aotearoa - Most recent taxonomy (only of NZ species).
• http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/taxon.aspx?id=_1928e390-214c-434d-b664-847b3227250a Flora of New Zealand].