Wharangi (Melicope ternata)
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Eudicots
Subclass: Rosidae
(Unranked): Eurosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Subfamily: Toddalioideae
Genus: Melicope
Species: Melicope ternata
Common name: Wharangi.
A New Zealand round coastal shrub known for its edible gum.Melicope ternata yields an edible gum that is used for chewing as it sweetens the breath for halitosis sufferers.
It is grows in the coastal forests of New Zealand. It has aromatic lime green glossy trifoliate leaves. Two species of Melicope are the only members of the citrus family to be present in New Zealand. As with other members of this family, both Wharangi (Melicope ternata) and Poataniwha (Melicope simplex) emit a pleasant scent (from oil glands) when the leaves are crushed.
Small yellowish green scented flowers develop in early spring followed by brown capsules each with 4 small pods containing one black shiny seed from late spring to late summer. These are eaten by birds.
This shrub is slightly frost tender and grows to about 5m in height.
The tiny flowers of Melicope ternata (Photo August)
Seeds (Photo August)
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