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(Melicope simplex)
Poataniwha (Melicope simplex)
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Jeremy Rolfe
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Jeremy Rolfe
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jeremy Rolfe | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Jeremy Rolfe | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-10-23T13:21:36-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements
| • Precipitation | 68" - 82" |
| • High Temp. | 67°F - 73°F |
| • Low Temp. | 32°F - 42°F |
Summary
Melicope simplex, commonly known as Poataniwha, is an evergreen shrub native to the moist and shaded forest understories of New Zealand. It typically grows to a height of 10-12 feet (3-3.7 meters) and a width of 12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters). Poataniwha has a bushy habit with trifoliate leaves that are sometimes flushed with purple, adding to its ornamental value. The small, white, four-petaled flowers are not particularly showy but are produced in abundance, giving rise to small, greenish-yellow capsules as fruit.
Poataniwha is valued for its lush foliage and suitability for shaded garden areas, making it an excellent choice for underplanting beneath taller trees or in woodland gardens. It is also used in revegetation projects where native species are preferred. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it prefers full sun to part shade, it is quite adaptable to lower light conditions found in its natural understory environment. Gardeners should be aware that Melicope simplex can be sensitive to frost and may require protection in cooler climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
Poataniwha is valued for its lush foliage and suitability for shaded garden areas, making it an excellent choice for underplanting beneath taller trees or in woodland gardens. It is also used in revegetation projects where native species are preferred. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it prefers full sun to part shade, it is quite adaptable to lower light conditions found in its natural understory environment. Gardeners should be aware that Melicope simplex can be sensitive to frost and may require protection in cooler climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 10-12 feet
- Width: 12-15 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
native to the moist and shaded forest understories of New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: Melicope simplex, Astorganthus huegelii, Melicope parvula
GBIF Accepted Name: Melicope simplex A.Cunn.