Elaeocarpus dentatus

Elaeocarpus dentatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Genus: Elaeocarpus
Species: E. dentatus
Binomial name
Elaeocarpus dentatus
(J.R.Forst.& G.Forst.) Vahl.

Elaeocarpus dentatus, commonly known as hīnau, is a native lowland forest tree of New Zealand. Other names in Māori for the tree are hangehange, pōkākā and whīnau.

A member of the Elaeocarpaceae family, it is found on both the North and South Island's of New Zealand, but not on Stewart Island.[1] The leaves are dark green, with a toothed edge. On the underside of the leaf small pits are present.[2] Clusters of small white flowers are produced in spring, and in late summer the flowers form into a fleshy fruit.[3]

It was officially first recorded for science by botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on 5 November 1769.[4]

References

Hīnau foliage