''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and

subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...

areas. It contains about 200 species, including several notable radiations, such as the matipo of New Zealand and the kōlea of Hawaii (the New Zealand "black matipo", '' Pittosporum tenuifolium'', is not related to ''Myrsine''). In the United States, members of this genus are known as colicwood. Some species, especially '' M. africana'', are grown as ornamental shrubs. The leathery, evergreen leaves are simple and alternate, with smooth or toothed margins and without stipules. The one-seeded, indehiscent fruit is a thin-fleshed globose

drupe In botany, a drupe (or stone fruit) is an indehiscent fruit in which an outer fleshy part (exocarp, or skin, and mesocarp, or flesh) surrounds a single shell (the ''pit'', ''stone'', or '' pyrena'') of hardened endocarp with a seed (''kernel'') ...

. The flowers and fruits often do not develop until after leaf fall and thus appear naked on the branches. The fruits often do not mature until the year after flowering. The

calyx Calyx or calyce (plural "calyces"), from the Latin ''calix'' which itself comes from the Ancient Greek ''κάλυξ'' (''kálux'') meaning "husk" or "pod", may refer to: Biology * Calyx (anatomy), collective name for several cup-like structures ...

is persistent. The Pacific basin and New World species formerly separated in the genera '' Rapanea'' and ''Suttonia'' (distinguished from the African and Southeast Asian ''Myrsine sensu stricto'' by having the style absent and staminal tube and filaments completely adnate to the

corolla Corolla may refer to: *Corolla (botany), the petals of a flower, considered as a unit *Toyota Corolla, an automobile model name * Corolla (headgear), an ancient headdress in the form of a circlet or crown * ''Corolla'' (gastropod), a genus of moll ...

) are now generally included in ''Myrsine''.

Hawaiian species

* ''

Myrsine alyxifolia ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine denticulata ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine fernseei ''Myrsine fernseei'', the streambank colicwood, is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) i ...

'' (Mez) Hosaka (

Kauai Kauai, () anglicized as Kauai ( ), is geologically the second-oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands (after Niʻihau). With an area of 562.3 square miles (1,456.4 km2), it is the fourth-largest of these islands and the 21st largest island ...

in Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine helleri ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine kauaiensis ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine knudsenii ''Myrsine knudsenii'', the Kokee colicwood, is a species of tree in the primrose family. It is endemic to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It is threatened by habitat loss. This is a shrub or tree growing up to 4.5 meters tall with flowers occu ...

'' (Rock) Hosaka (Kauai in Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine linearifolia ''Myrsine linearifolia'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common name narrowleaf colicwood. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Kauai. There are 12 populations remaining, fo ...

'' * ''

Myrsine mezii ''Myrsine mezii'', the Hanapepe River colicwood, is a species of tree in the primrose family. It is endemic to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed endangered species An endangered spec ...

'' Hosaka (

in Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine petiolata ''Myrsine petiolata'', the swamp colicwood, is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It is threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reductio ...

'' Hosaka (

in Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine wawraea ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine lanaiensis ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine lessertiana ''Myrsine lessertiana'', the ''kōlea lau nui'', is a species of colicwood that is endemic to Hawaii. It inhabits dry, coastal mesic, mixed mesic, and wet forests at elevations of on all main islands. ''M. lessertiana'' is a small to medi ...

A.DC. Alphonse Louis Pierre Pyramus (or Pyrame) de Candolle (28 October 18064 April 1893) was a French-Swiss botanist, the son of the Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. Biography De Candolle, son of Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, first devot ...

– ''Kōlea lau nui'' ( Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine fosbergii ''Myrsine fosbergii'', the Koolau Range colicwood, is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) ...

'' Hosaka ( Oahu and Kauai in Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine punctata ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine sandwicensis ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

– ''Kōlea lau lii'' (Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine degeneri ''Myrsine degeneri'', the summit colicwood, is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. References

Myrsine, degeneri Endemic flora of Hawaii Biota of Oahu Trees of Hawaii Taxo ...

'' Hosaka ( Oahu in Hawaii) * ''

Myrsine emarginata ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine juddii ''Myrsine juddii'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the Primulaceae, primrose family known by the common name cloudswept colicwood. It is endemism, endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the Koolau Mountains of Oahu. There is a sin ...

'' * ''

Myrsine pukooensis ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It cont ...

'' * ''

Myrsine vaccinioides ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It cont ...

Other selected species

* ''

Myrsine adamsonii ''Myrsine adamsonii'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to French Polynesia. The Specific epithet (botany), epithet ''adamsonii'' commemorates Alastair Martin Adamson. References

Endemic flora of ...

'' Fosberg & Sachet (

French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = Regional anthem , song = " Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" , image_map = French Polynesia on the globe (French Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of Frenc ...

) * ''

Myrsine africana ''Myrsine africana'', also called Cape myrtle, African boxwood or thakisa, is a species of shrub in the family Primulaceae. It is indigenous to Southern and Eastern Africa, the Azores, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia and East Asia. Descrip ...

'' ( Africa, Southern Asia and the Azores) * ''

Myrsine andersonii ''Myrsine andersonii'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the Tubuai Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = Regional anthem , song = ...

'' Fosbert & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine aquilonia ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It con ...

'' * ''

Myrsine argentea ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It cont ...

'' * '' Myrsine australis'' – Red matipo, ''mapou'' (New Zealand) * ''

Myrsine brachyclada ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It cont ...

'' * ''

Myrsine brownii ''Myrsine brownii'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is a tree endemic to the Tubuai Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = Regional anthem , song ...

'' Fosbert & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine bullata ''Myrsine bullata'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the ...

'' Pipoly ( Peru) * ''

Myrsine ceylanica ''Myrsine ceylanica'' is plant Plants are predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all cur ...

'' (Mez) Wadhwa * ''

Myrsine cheesemanii ''Myrsine cheesemanii'', known as the Cook Islands myrsine or ''ka‘ika makatea'' (in Mangaia), is a species of shrub within the family Myrsinaceae. It is endemic to the Cook Islands, growing on the islands of Rarotonga, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitia ...

'' (Mez) Hemsl. ex Prain (Cook Islands) * ''

Myrsine collina ''Myrsine collina'', synonym ''Rapanea collina'', is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the Society Islands The Society Islands (french: Îles de la Société, officially ''Archipel de la Société;'' ty, Tōtaiete ...

'' Nadeaud ( Society Islands) * ''

Myrsine diazii ''Myrsine diazii'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the S ...

'' Pipoly ( Peru) * ''

Myrsine divaricata ''Myrsine divaricata'' known as weeping māpou or weeping matipo, is a small tree up to tall or often a shrub. It has a strongly divaricating habit with interlaced branched. The woody parts are stiff and pubescent when young. The small leather ...

'' Cunn (New Zealand) * ''

Myrsine falcata ''Myrsine falcata'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to French Polynesia. References Endemic flora of French Polynesia falcata The falcata is a type of sword typical of pre-Roman Iberia. The falcata was us ...

'' Nadeaud (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine fasciculata ''Myrsine fasciculata'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the island of Raiatea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = ...

'' (J.Moore) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine fusca ''Myrsine fusca'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is a tree endemic to French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = Regional anthem , song = " Ia Ora 'O Tahiti ...

'' (J.Moore) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine gracilissima ''Myrsine gracilissima'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_ty ...

'' Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine hartii ''Myrsine hartii'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to the Society Islands of French Polynesia. References

Endemic flora of the Society Islands Myrsine, hartii Critically endangered plants Taxonomy ...

'' * ''

Myrsine hosakae ''Myrsine hosakae'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; org ...

'' H.St.John (

Pitcairn Islands The Pitcairn Islands (; Pitkern: '), officially the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, is a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the sole British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. The four isl ...

) * '' Myrsine howittiana'' ( F.Muell. ex Mez) Jackes (Eastern Australia) * ''

'' * ''

Myrsine juergensenii ''Myrsine juergensenii'' is a species of broadleaf evergreen plant in the family Primulaceae. It is a shrub or tree native to Mexico and Central America, ranging from central Mexico to Panama.Myrsine kermadecensis ''Myrsine kermadecensis'', commonly known as the Kermadec matipo, Kermadec myrsine, or the Kermadec mapou, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, endemic to the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand. It was named by Thomas Cheeseman ...

'' * ''

Myrsine laetevirens ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It cont ...

'' (Mez) Arechav. * ''

Myrsine niauensis ''Myrsine naiuensis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the island of Niau in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia.Myrsine nukuhivensis ''Myrsine nukuhivensis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = Regional anthem , song = " Ia Ora 'O Tahiti N ...

'' Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine obovata ''Myrsine obovata'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the island of Raiatea, in the Society Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type ...

'' (J.Moore) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine oliveri ''Myrsine oliveri'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand. References External linksNZFlora online: ''Myrsine oliveri'' Endemic flora of New Zealand oliveri Oliveri ( Sicilian: ''Oluveri'') is a '' ...

'' Allan (New Zealand) * ''

Myrsine orohenensis ''Myrsine orohenensis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the island of Tahiti, in the Society Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = ...

'' (J.Moore) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine pearcei ''Myrsine pearcei'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to Peru. References pearcei Endemic flora of Peru Vulnerable plants Trees of Peru Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Primulaceae-stub ...

'' (Mez) Pipoly (Peru) * ''

Myrsine raiateensis ''Myrsine raiateensis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is a tree endemic to the island of Raiatea, in the Society Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song ...

'' (J.Moore) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine rapensis ''Myrsine rapensis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is a tree endemic to the island of Rapa Iti in the Tubuai Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , son ...

'' (F.Brown) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine reynelii ''Myrsine reynelii'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to Peru. References Trees of Peru Endemic flora of Peru reynelii Vulnerable plants Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Primulaceae-stub ...

'' Pipoly (Peru) * ''

Myrsine richmondensis ''Myrsine richmondensis'', known as the ripple leaf muttonwood or purple-leaf muttonwood, is a very rare shrub of coastal areas of New South Wales; from Coraki on the Richmond River north to Mount Warning. Description A shrub to small tree t ...

'' Jackes (Australia) * ''

Myrsine rivularis ''Myrsine rivularis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of t ...

'' (Mez) Pipoly (Peru) * ''

Myrsine ronuiensis ''Myrsine ronuiensis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is a tree endemic to the Society Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_type = Regional anthem , ...

'' (M.Grant) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine sodiroana ''Myrsine sodiroana'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, wh ...

'' (Mez) Pipoly ( Ecuador) * ''

Myrsine tahuatensis ''Myrsine tahuatensis'' is a species of plant in the family Primulaceae. It is endemic to the island of Tahuata, in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia )Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze") , anthem = , song_ty ...

'' Fosbert & Sachet (French Polynesia) * ''

Myrsine umbricola ''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It cont ...

'' * ''

Myrsine variabilis ''Myrsine variabilis'', synonym ''Rapanea variabilis'', known as the muttonwood or variable muttonwood is a tree of eastern Australia. The range of natural distribution is from near Milton (35° S) in southern New South Wales to the McIlwraith R ...

References

Ngā Tipu Aotearoa
– Most recent taxonomy (only of NZ species).
Flora of New Zealand

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q159796 Primulaceae genera