Maytenus boaria
Common names
maiten
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Flower colours
Green
Habitat
Occurs in the understorey of open native bush, among scrub and grasses (Heenan et al 1999).
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Celastraceae
Ecology
Year naturalised
1988
Origin
Temperate S. America
Tolerances
Seedlings are able to grow in very low light (Cartman and McCombs 2002)
Life cycle and dispersal
Possibly dioecious (Cartman and McCombs 2002), Spreads by roots, suckers and possibly seed. Spreads aggressively by root suckers and seed. (Heenan et al 1999). Female plants produce small fruits with red oily flesh and one to two seeds inside (Cartman and McCombs 2002). Dispersed by birds.
Other information
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.