Flora of New Zealand Series

Dicera serrata J. R. et G. Forst. Char. Gen. Pl. 1776, 80.

Friesia racemosa A. Cunn. in Ann. nat. Hist. 4, 1840, 24.

A. racemosa Hook. f. Fl. N.Z. 1, 1852, 33.

Makomako, Wineberry.

Dioec. tree up to c. 10 m. tall; trunk c. 3 dm. diam., bark of branchlets rather light to dark red, pubescent. Lvs opp. to subopp., on slender pubescent petioles up to ± 5 cm. long. Lamina 5-12 × 4-8 cm., glabrate (pubescence long-persistent on veins below) broad-ovate, acuminate, membr.; deeply, doubly, irregularly, sharply serrate; light or dark green above, paler green or purplish below. Infl. paniculate, 6-10 cm. long; fls ∞, 4-6 mm. diam., on slender pubescent pedicels ± 5-10 mm. long. Sepals 4, ovate, ± 3 mm. long, pubescent; petals 4, 3-lobed, often deeply, c. 9 mm. long. Stamens ∞, on glandular disk, minutely pubescent. Ovary 3-4-celled, styles 3-4. Berry ± 5 × 4 mm. or sts larger, brighter or dark red or almost black. Seeds ± 8, angled.

DIST.: N., S., St. Lowland to montane forests throughout. Often forming thickets after felling of forest.

FL. 9-12. FT. 11-1.

There appear to be two vars, one with light green lvs and bright red frs, the other with dark green lvs, purplish below and dark frs; but their status and distribution has not been well worked out.