Homalanthus populifolius Graham

Glabrous shrub or small tree up to 5 m high. Twigs rounded, slightly ribbed. Lvs ovate to rhombic, truncate to obtuse at base, acute to acuminate or rarely obtuse at apex, (3)–5–15–(20) cm long, usually turning red in cooler part of year; seedling lvs broadly ovate, truncate at base; petioles >, =, or < blade; stipules soon deciduous. Racemes up to 17 cm long, usually with few solitary long-pedicellate ♀ fls below or at base, and many clusters of (1)–3–4 short-pedicellate ♂ fls (racemes rarely unisexual, or with 1–2 ♂ fls clustered with upper ♀); each group of fls subtended by a bract and 2 prominent glands. ♂ fls: stamens 4–10; perianth segments 2. ♀ fls: ovary 2-celled; styles 2. Fr. ± smooth, grooved between the 2 cells, ridged on keels, glaucous, 8–10 mm diam.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]