Melicope simplex
An endemic New Zealand Rutaceae shrub with a glabrous, divaricate habit and small, thick, leathery leaves whose crushed leaves emit a citrus aroma; juvenile leaves often 3-foliolate changing to mostly 1-foliolate in adults, small greenish-white flowers in spring, and fruiting in summer.
Common Names
Poataniwha, Tātaka
Summary
Endemic New Zealand shrub, also known as Poataniwha, with divaricating, interlacing branches; leaves small, rounded, leathery and aromatic when crushed; juvenile leaves often divided into three leaflets while mature leaves are mostly 1-foliolate; greenish-white flowers in spring and seeds that are tiny and black in dry capsules; grows to about 3–4 m tall and occurs along coastal and lowland forest margins.
Propagation via fresh seed (fresh preferred; germination variable) and semi-hardwood cuttings; grows in full sun to partial shade with moderate, well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established; low salt tolerance; ornamental, aromatic foliage; provides habitat for wildlife; garden value as native specimen, wildlife habitat, hedging, and erosion control.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
9 ft 10 in-13 ft 1 in
Spread
3.3 ft – 8.2 ft
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining soil; the plant tolerates dry, sandy, loamy, and clay soils; no single ideal soil.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Bloom Color
Greenish-white
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Moderate
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, birds, and other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- A.Cunn.
- Publication
- Ann. Nat. Hist. 3: 315 (1839)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Sapindales
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Melicope