''Myrsine'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family

Primulaceae The Primulaceae , commonly known as the primrose family (but not related to the Onagraceae, evening primrose family), are a family (biology), family of Herbaceous plant, herbaceous and woody flowering plants including some favourite garden plants ...

. It was formerly placed in the family

Myrsinaceae Myrsinoideae is a subfamily of the family Primulaceae in the order Ericales. It was formerly recognized as the family Myrsinaceae, or the myrsine family, consisting of 35 genera and about 1000 species. It is widespread in temperate to tropical ...

before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...

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 New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

and the kōlea of

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

(the New Zealand "black matipo", ''

Pittosporum tenuifolium ''Pittosporum tenuifolium'' is a small evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand – up to – commonly known as and black matipo, and by other Māori names and . Its small, very dark, reddish-purple flowers generally go unnoticed, and are scented ...

'', is not related to ''Myrsine''). In the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, members of this genus are known as colicwood. Some species, especially '' M. africana'', are grown as ornamental shrubs. The leathery,

evergreen In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, which ...

leaves are simple and alternate, with smooth or toothed margins and without

stipule In botany, a stipule is an outgrowth typically borne on both sides (sometimes on just one side) of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole). Stipules are considered part of the anatomy of the leaf of a typical flowering plant, although in many speci ...

s. The one-seeded,

indehiscent Dehiscence is the splitting of a mature plant structure along a built-in line of weakness to release its contents. This is common among fruits, anthers and sporangia. Sometimes this involves the complete detachment of a part; structures that op ...

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 is persistent. The Pacific basin and New World species formerly separated in the genera ''

Rapanea ''Rapanea'' is a genus of plant in family Primulaceae. It has often been placed in synonymy with ''Myrsine'', and many species have been moved to ''Myrsine''. , Plants of the World Online does not accept the genus, regarding it as a synonym of '' ...

'' and ''Suttonia'' (distinguished from the

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

n and

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, south-eastern region of Asia, consistin ...

n ''Myrsine sensu stricto'' by having the

style Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to: * Architectural style, the features that make a building or structure historically identifiable * Design, the process of creating something * Fashion, a prevailing mode of clothing ...

absent and staminal tube and filaments completely adnate to the corolla) 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''

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'' (

) * ''

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 Oahu () (Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ''Oʻahu'' ()), also known as "The Gathering place#Island of Oʻahu as The Gathering Place, Gathering Place", is the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to roughly one million people—over t ...

and Kauai in Hawaii) * '' Myrsine punctata'' * '' Myrsine sandwicensis''

– ''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 (

in Hawaii) * '' Myrsine emarginata'' * ''

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 A sachet is a small scented cloth bag filled with herbs, potpourri, or aromatic ingredients.Oster, p. 54 A sachet is also a small porous bag or packet containing a material intended to interact with its atmosphere; for example, desiccants ar ...

(

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 ...

'' (

, Southern

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...

and the

Azores ) , motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace") , anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores") , image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg , map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union , map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...

) * '' Myrsine andersonii'' 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 cont ...

'' * ''

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 ''Myrsine australis'', commonly known as ''māpou'', red matipo, ''tīpau'', and ''mataira'' is a species of shrub within the family Myrsinaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand, found throughout both the mainland and offshore islands. Description ...

'' – 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 , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

) * '' Myrsine ceylanica'' (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 The Society Islands (french: Îles de la Société, officially ''Archipel de la Société;'' ty, Tōtaiete mā) are an archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean. Politically, they are part of French Polynesia, an overseas country of the F ...

) * ''

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 (

) * ''

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'' 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'' (J.Moore) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * '' Myrsine gracilissima'' 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 ''Myrsine howittiana'', the brush muttonwood or muttonwood, is a shrub or small tree in the family Primulaceae. The species is endemic to eastern Australia. It grows to between 3 and 10 metres in height and has smooth, often whitish, bark. Th ...

'' (

F.Muell. Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, (german: Müller; 30 June 1825 – 10 October 1896) was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist. He was appointed government botanist for the then colony of Victo ...

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'' Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * '' Myrsine nukuhivensis'' Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * '' Myrsine obovata'' (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'' (J.Moore) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * '' Myrsine pearcei'' (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'' (F.Brown) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * '' Myrsine reynelii'' 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'' (Mez) Pipoly (Peru) * '' Myrsine ronuiensis'' (M.Grant) Fosberg & Sachet (French Polynesia) * '' Myrsine sodiroana'' (Mez) Pipoly (

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

) * '' Myrsine tahuatensis'' 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