Kermadec Mapou

Myrsine kermadecensis on average reaches 10 m (33 ft) tall, rounded crown, with rough, firm bark. Leaves are 3–7 cm (1.2–2.8 in) long, and 1–3.5 cm (0.39–1.38 in) wide. Flowers are green-yellow with purple spotting, or a darker red with purple spotting. Fruit are 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) wide. Cheeseman described the species as follows:

A small glabrous tree, with much of the habit and appearance of Drimys axillaris. Bark rough, blackish - brown. Leaves 2in.-2+1⁄2in. long, obovate-oblong, acute or obtuse, entire, coriaceous, gradually narrowed into short petioles 1⁄6in.-1⁄4in. long; margins slightly recurved. Flowers small, diœcious (or polygamous?) in many-flowered clusters on the old wood below the leaves. Pedicels short, rarely over 1⁄5in. Calyx minute, lobes short, broad. Corolla about 1⁄8in. long, divided nearly to the base into 5 acute lobes, which are fringed at the sides. Anthers nearly as large as the lobes. Drupe globose, 1⁄3in.-1⁄4in. diameter, black when fully ripe. Cheeseman noted that the plant was phenotypically similar to both Myrsine crassifolia and Myrsine variabilis of Australia; with Myrsine kermadecensis having smaller leaves and longer petioles than Myrsine crassifolia. When the genus Myrsine was formerly separated into Rapanea and Suttonia, Cheeseman published this further description posthumously in 1925:

A small glabrous tree 8—15 ft. …

Myrsine kermadecensis is endemic to Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, where it grows in the subtropical biome, primarily in drier-climate forests, but also is occasionally seen growing within wetter forests.

Myrsine kermadecensis has no currently listed uses, although its berries are edible and may have been eaten by the Polynesians who arrived on the island in the 14th century.

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