English: New Zealand mulberry; Corkwood; Evergreen lime.
Māori: Whau.
Genus: 1 species.
Clades: Sparrmannieae; Grewioideae.
Region: New Zealand.
Habitat: low forest along the coast; intolerate of moderate cold, strong wind, very dry or ill-drained soil; undisturbed coastal forest; beside streams in valleys near the coast where open ground and sufficient warmth and light are found.
Use: for floats of fishing nets and the like.
BotanyShrub or small tree; 6 m tall; light-demanding and is unable to live under an unbroken canopy; transient, opportunist, tremendous rate of growth; often the first new plant to appear.
Stem: very light wood, pale brown; several bands of unlignified pith-like parenchyma per year.
Leaves: large, lime-like; alternate, stipulate; attractive; tropical appearance; bright green, obliquely, cordate; 10 to 20 cm long; 5 to 7 nerves; long petioles.
Flowers: scented, white; 4 or 5 sepals and petals; 2 cm in diameter; attractive; blooming from early spring and mid-summer. They have with a central bunch of densely packed yellow stamens.
Fruit: dry, spiky capsules; distinctly brown, covered with spines; 1½ cm long, 2½ cm long rigid bristles.
Seed: remarkably long life