Flora of New Zealand Series

Myrtus bullata Sol. ex A. Cunn. in Ann. nat. Hist. 3, 1839, 115 non Salisb. Prodr. 1796, 354.

Ramarama.

Type locality: "shady woods, Bay of Islands". Type: K, R. Cunningham 1834.

Shrub or tree up to 6 m. tall or more; branchlets and young lvs hirsute. Lvs on petioles ± 2-5 mm. long; lamina subcoriac., c. 15-30-(50) × 10-15-(20) mm., broad-ovate to suborbicular, bullate, obtuse to acute or apiculate, us. reddish tinged in open (all forms may be on same plant). Fls axillary, solitary, ± 12 mm. diam., on ± hirsute peduncles c. 2 cm. long. Receptacle with 2 minute bracts at base, ± hirsute, ± 3 × 2 mm. Sepals obtuse to subacute, about elliptic-oblong; petals white, suborbicular, ciliate. Berry c. 4-8 mm. long, broad-ovoid, dark red to black; seeds ∞, reniform; testa hard.

DIST.: N., S. Coastal and lowland forests, especially marginal, throughout to lat. 42°, uncommon in S.

FL. 11-2. FT. 1-4.