Flora of New Zealand Series

Scopolia lucida J. R. et G. Forst. Char. Gen. Pl. 1776, 140.

Type locality: Queen Charlotte Sound. There is a Forster specimen in K.

Shrub or tree up to 8 m. tall; us. epiphytic, developing long root descending to soil; sts rupestral; bark thick, furrowed. Lvs obliquely broadly ovate to oblong, rounded at apex, sts subcordate at base, very unequal-sided, glossy above; main veins prominent below. Panicles with distinct main axis racemosely branched. Sepals 1-2 mm. long; petals of ♂ 2-3 mm. long, of ♀ 0. Fr. 5-10 mm. long, fleshy, dark purple; ovule pend.

DIST.: N., S. Lowland forest throughout, often local, more common in N. Puka.

FL. 10-12. FT. 12-8.

Hooker (Handbk N.Z. Fl. 1864, 105) describes his var.β as "very robust. Leaves almost orbicular, almost cordate at base (perhaps only young shoots of G. lucida)". This was based on specimens (not seen by me) of A. Cunningham from Bay of Islands, and of Sinclair, Auckland.