Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Canellales Cronquist
Family
Winteraceae R.Br. ex Lindl.
Genus
Pseudowintera Dandy
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Pseudowintera axillaris (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Dandy, J. Bot. (Hooker) 71: 121 (1933)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Drimys axillaris J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., Char. Gen. Pl., ed. 2. 84, t. 42 (1776)
  • ≡ Wintera axillaris (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 42 (1786)
  • = Wintera terminalis Tiegh. (1900)
Vernacular Name(s):
Horopito; Lowland horopito; Lowland pepper tree; Puhikawa
 Description

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.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–Dec.; Fruiting: Oct.–Jan.–Jun.

 Bibliography
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Dandy, J.E. 1933: The Winteraceae of New Zealand. Journal of Botany 71: 119–122.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Forster, J.G.A. 1786: Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus. Dietrich, Göttingen.
Forster, J.R.; Forster, G. 1776: Characteres Generum Plantarum quas in Itinere ad Insulas Maris Australis Collegerunt, Descripserunt, Delinearunt, Annis. Edition 2. White, Cadell & Elmsley, London.