Flora of New Zealand Series

Drimys axillaris J. R. et G. Forst. Char. Gen. Pl. 1776, 84, t. 42, fig. a-1.

Wintera axillaris Forst. f. Prodr. 1786, 42.

W. terminalis Tiegh. in J. de Bot. 14, 1900, 291.

Horopito.

Erect shrub or tree up to 8 m. tall, bark dark. Lvs on slender petioles ± 2 cm. long; lamina elliptic-oblong to elliptic-obovate to ovate-oblong, 6-10 × 3-6 cm., obtuse to subacute, rather coriac., dark green and glossy above, glaucous below, somewhat pungent to taste; midrib and veins evident below. Fls ± 1 cm. diam., in axillary fascicles of 3-5-(10) on pedicels 5 mm. to 1 cm. long or more; calyx subentire to shallowly lobed; petals 5-6, greenish yellow, narrow-oblong to narrow-obovate, 5-6 mm. long; stamens 6-15; carpels 3-6; frs red (rarely dark), 5-6 mm. diam., mesocarp slightly fleshy; seeds 3 to 6, black, angled.

DIST.: N., S. Lowland and lower montane forests from lat. 35° southwards, extending to 42° in S: west of divide.

FL. 9-12. FT. 10-1-6. The Forster specimen in K has no indication of locality.