6. P. Colensoi, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. 94, t. 21.—A glabrous shrub or small tree, 5–15 ft. high; branches stout, spreading. Leaves 3–5-foliolate; petioles 2–9 in. long, with a stout 2-lobed sheathing base; leaflets 2–6 in., obovate- or oblong-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, sessile or shortly petioled, coarsely serrate, thick and coriaceous, smooth and glossy, veins usually indistinct. Flowers diœcious. Umbels large, compound, terminal, similar to those of P. arboreum but smaller and with fewer primary rays; secondary rays ½–1 in. long, pedicels short. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, slightly connate at the base, tips spreading, recurved. Fruit orbicular, 15 in. diam., much compressed, 2-celled, purplish-black.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 102; Kirk, Students' Fl. 218.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: In hilly or mountainous districts from the Little Barrier Island and Cape Colville southwards. Usually from 1500–4500 ft., but descending to sea-level on Stewart Island. December–February.
Very closely allied to P. arboreum, but the leaves are 3–5-foliolate (not 5–7-foliolate), the leaflets are sessile or nearly so, and the veins are usually indistinct.
7. P. arboreum, Forst. Prodr. n. 398.—A small much-branched round-headed tree 12–25 ft. high; branches stout, brittle. Leaves digitately 5–7-foliolate; petioles stout, 2–10 in. long, with a broad 2-robed sheath at the base; leaflets 3–7 in., on petioles ½–1 in. long, broad- or narrow-oblong or obovate-oblong, obtuse or acute, serrate or sinuate-serrate, coriaceous, smooth and shining, veins distinct. Umbels large, terminal, compound, diœcious; primary rays 8–12, radiating, 2–4 in. long; secondary 10–20, ½–1½ in. long, each bearing a 10—15-flowered umbel; pedicels short, slender. Flowers ¼ in. diam. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, connate at the base, tips free, recurved. Fruit broader than long, compressed, ¼–⅓ in. diam., purplish-black, 2-celled; seeds 1 in each cell.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 281; A Cunn. Precur. n. 510; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook, in Lond. Journ. Bot. ii. (1843) 421, t. 11; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 94; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 102; Kirk, Students' Fl. 219.
Var. lætum, Kirk, l.c.—Leaflets much larger, 7–10 in. long, 3–4 in. broad, broadly ovate-lanceolate or obovate, abruptly acuminate, coarsely serrate or dentate.
Kermadec Islands, North and South Islands.—Abundant in lowland districts throughout. Var. lætum; Thames Goldfields, Kirk! T. F. C. Sea-level to 1500 ft. Whauwhau-paku. June–July.
4. MERYTA, Forst.
Small glabrous trees, usually more or less resinous. Leaves large, alternate, simple, coriaceous. Flowers diœcious, in terminal panicles. Male flowers: Calyx-limb obsolete or minutely 3-5-toothed. Petals 4–5, valvate. Stamens 4–5; filaments rather long; anthers ovate-oblong. Females: Calyx-limb obsolete. Petals 4–5, small. Ovary 4- to many-celled; styles thick, distinct
