| Melicytus latifolius | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Violaceae |
| Genus: | Melicytus |
| Species: | M. latifolius |
| Binomial name | |
| Melicytus latifolius | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Melicytus latifolius, also known as the Norfolk Island mahoe, is a flowering plant in the violet family. It is endemic to the Australian external territory of Norfolk Island in the south-west Pacific Ocean. It was originally described in 1833 by Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher.[2][1]
Description
The species grows as a small tree – usually up to 4 m in height, but sometimes to 9 m.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The trees occur in moist upland hardwood forest and plateau hardwood forest, mainly in the Mount Pitt section of the Norfolk Island National Park. The species has been rare for some time; it is threatened by competition with invasive weeds; and its conservation status has been assessed as Critically Endangered.[1]
References
- "Norfolk Island Region Threatened Species Recovery Plan" (PDF). Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Commonwealth of Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- "Melicytus latifolius (Endl.) P.S.Green". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-06-02.