Wharangi

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Wharangi

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fagara octandra
• Melicope ternata var. grandis
• Entoganum laevigatum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it is situated in the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Melicope, specifically as the species Melicope ternata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the diverse landscapes of New Zealand. Its range extends across the northern regions of the North Island. It is also widely distributed throughout the South Island of the country. Additionally, the species can be found growing on the remote Kermadec Islands. These distinct locations highlight the broad geographical footprint of Melicope ternata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Melicope ternata is characterized by its distinctly woody growth habit, forming substantial perennial structures. The plant features a robust, woody stem system that supports a complex branching pattern typical of its genus. Its foliage consists of compound leaves, often manifesting in a ternate arrangement, where leaflets are positioned to optimize light interception. The texture of the vegetation is firm and lignified, reflecting its woody nature, which provides the structural integrity necessary for its developmental life cycle.

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melicope ternata is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on a C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this process, the plant utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon compound, such as 3-phosphoglycerate, during the initial stage of the Calvin cycle. This carbon fixation occurs within the mesophyll cells, where sunlight is captured by chlorophyll to drive the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Because it follows the C3 pathway, the plant's gas exchange and water-use efficiency are inherently linked to its stomatal conductance, as it must balance the intake of CO2 for biomass production against the potential for photorespiration and transpirational water loss.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Melicope ternata is characterized by a highly uniform seed production profile, reflecting a consistent investment in its reproductive progeny. Based on empirical data, the seeds produced by this species exhibit no variance in weight, maintaining a precise and constant seed mass. Specifically, the seed mass mean, maximum, and minimum values are all recorded at 0.01884 g. This lack of deviation in seed mass suggests a highly standardized developmental process during seed maturation, ensuring that every seed carries a specific, consistent amount of nutrient reserves to support early seedling establishment.

Seed mass mean:

0.01884 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Melicope ternata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Toxic.

Toxic

1. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT

Preparations

Melicope ternata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include honey.

Honey

1. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT