Leionema nudum
Common name
Mairehau
Synonyms
Phebalium nudum Hook.f.
Family
Rutaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
LEINUD
Chromosome number
2n = 32
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Brief description
Small bushy shrub with narrow finely notched leaves inhabiting the north of the North Island. Leaves 25-45mm long by 5-10mm wide, blunt, often brownish green, margins with many tiny nicks. Flowers white, with many projecting filaments. Fruit dry.
Distribution
Endemic. Confined to the North Island where it is locally distributed from Te Paki south to Pukenui Hill, Kawhia in the west and the northern Kaimai Range in the east. Rather uncommon south of Auckland and Thames
Flower colours
White
Life cycle
Drupes are dispersed by ballistic projection and possibly ants (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Can be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings and seed. Cuttings are often hard to strike, and seed can be slow to germinate. Cold sensitive but once established quite hardy. A beautiful shrub which should be more widely grown
Threats
Not Threatened but it is heavily browsed by goats over some parts of its range
Etymology
nudum: Bare
Where To Buy
Occasionally sold by specialist native plant nurseries.
Cultural Use/Importance
The fragrant leaves when crushed exude an oil which in some people can cause severe burns if the affected skin is then exposed to strong sunlight. Leionema nudum is the only species of the genus found outside Australia.
References and further reading
Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285-309