1. C. macrocarpa, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx. (1888) 147.—A robust leafy glossy-green shrub 5–12 ft. high, quite glabrous in all its parts; bark greyish-brown. Leaves large, 3–7 in. long, 1½–3½ in. broad, ovate-oblong or elliptic-oblong, obtuse or acute or apiculate, rather suddenly narrowed into a short stout petiole, coriaceous; margins slightly thickened; veins conspicuous, reticulated. Stipules large, on the young leafy shoots often sheathing the branch for some distance. Flowers not seen. Fruit much the largest of the genus, in fascicles of 3–7 on very short axillary peduncles, ½–1 in. long, broadly ovoid or oblong or sometimes nearly orbicular; not seen perfectly ripe.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 230.
North Island: Hitherto only found on the Three Kings Islands, to the north-west of Cape Maria van Diemen, T. F. C.
At once distinguished by the large fruit, which is more than twice the size of that of C. grandifolia, which is its nearest ally. The leaves are almost as large as those of C. grandifolia, but approach C. robusta in shape and texture, and dry a brownish-black as in that species.
2. C. grandifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 104.— A large sparingly branched shrub 8–15 ft. high, with dark-brown bark. Leaves large, 4–9 in. long, obovate-oblong or elliptic-oblong, rarely narrower and elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, membranous, dull-green, not shining nor glossy; veins finely reticulated; petioles rather slender, ¾–1½ in. long. Peduncles 1–3 in. long, trichotomously divided. Flowers in fascicles at the ends of the divisions of the peduncle; male fascicles much more dense than the females. Calyx distinct in both sexes, minute, 4–5-toothed. Male corolla ⅓ in. long, funnel-shaped; female smaller, 15–14 in., tubular. Drupe about ⅓ in. long, oblong, obtuse, reddish-orange.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 112; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 229; Kirk, Students' Fl. 231. C. autumnalis. Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 263. Ronabea australis, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 265.
North and South Islands: Abundant from the Three Kings Islands and the North Cape to Marlborough and the south-west of Nelson Province. Sea-level to 2500 ft. Kānono; Mānono. April–June.
One of the most distinct species of the genus, easily recognised by the large membranous leaves and well-developed inflorescence.
3. C. lucida, Forst. Prodr. n. 137.—A stout leafy glabrous shrub 4–15 ft. high. Leaves 2–5 in. long, obovate to oblong-obovate or obovate-lanceolate, obtuse or acute or apiculate, gradually narrowed into a short stout petiole, coriaceous, shining, yellow-green when dry. Peduncles 1–2 in. long, trichotomously divided. Flowers numerous, in fascicles at the ends of the divisions of the peduncle. Calyx present in both sexes, minutely 4–5-toothed. Male corolla 15 in. long, broadly tubular; female shorter and narrower. Drupe ⅓–½ in. long, oblong or oblong-obovoid, reddish-orange.—A. Rich.
