shades the damp forest stream banks

Size
Height: 4–6 m, Spread: 2–3 m, shrubby with narrow leaves
Lifespan
50–100 years
Diet
Photosynthetic. Draws energy from sunlight. Obtains nutrients from fertile, well-drained soils in forest environments.
Habitat
Lowland and montane forests often in damp, shaded sites. Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with partial shade. Often found in forest understorey and along stream banks.
Range
North Island from Whangārei southwards. South Island in Nelson and Marlborough. Most common in lowland and montane forests.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Habitat loss from land clearance is primary threat. Browsing by introduced possums and deer. Climate change affecting forest habitats.
Population
Populations considered stable in remaining forest fragments. Species common in lowland forests throughout range. Threatened by ongoing habitat loss and browsing.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native shrub, safe to handle
Conservation Note
Endemic shrub or small tree; widespread in lowland and montane forests throughout New Zealand.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
In Māori tradition māhoe wao valued for soft wood used as base board for fire-making by friction. Wood quickly forms flammable dust when rubbed with kaikōmako stick. Berries eaten by birds. Narrow leaves noted. Plant recognised as forest-dwelling relative of common māhoe adapted to shaded conditions of understorey.
It does not inhabit the open exclusively. Melicytus lanceolatus is shrubby relative of common māhoe. Long, narrow, willow-like leaves. Brown bark. Tree that looks like willow but is not. Grows in lowland and montane forests from Whangārei southwards. Reaching up to 6 metres in height. Leaves are lance-shaped. Up to 15 centimetres long and only 2 to 3 centimetres wide. Giving plant slender, graceful appearance. Tree that reaches for light. Greenish-white flowers appear on bare twigs below leaves. Characteristic of genus Melicytus. Flowers small and inconspicuous. Five petals curl back at edges. Followed by violet-blue berries eaten by birds. Berries spherical about 6 millimetres in diameter. Contain several small seeds. Tree that feeds birds. Name māhoe wao means forest māhoe. Distinguishing it from more common lowland species Melicytus ramiflorus known simply as māhoe or whiteywood. Species less common than lowland relative. Has more restricted distribution. Tree that stays in forest. Wood is soft and white. Similar to common māhoe. Used by Māori as base board for fire-making by friction. When rubbed with kaikōmako stick wood quickly forms flammable dust. Which can be ignited to start fire. Traditional method known as kaikōmako method named after stick used. Tree that helped make fire. Plant not commonly cultivated but can be grown in shaded, damp gardens. Important component of forest understorey. Providing food for birds and shelter for insects. Forest understorey is dark. Māhoe wao grows slender, willow-leaved. Violet berries hidden in shade. Birds come. Berries disappear. Tree does not mind. That is point. It carries on.