Myrsine divaricata
{{Short description|Species of shrub}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2024}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Myrsinedivaricatatree1.jpg
|image_caption = A M. divaricata in Otago farmland
|genus = Myrsine
|species = divaricata
|authority = A.Cunn.
|status = NT
|status_system = NZTCS
}}
Myrsine divaricata also known as weeping māpou or weeping matipo, is a small tree up to {{convert|4|m}} tall or often a shrub endemic to New Zealand.[http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.asp?ID=1009 NZ Plant Conservation Network] It has a strongly divaricating habit with interlaced branches. The woody parts are stiff and pubescent when young. The small leathery simple leaves are borne on short petioles and may be slightly two lobed at the end. The very small yellow or reddish flowers may be borne singly or in small groups which mature into small purple, occasionally white, fruit.{{cite book|title=Flora of New Zealand|author= Allen H. H|publisher =P D Hasselbery|date=1982|volume=1|page=981}}
==Description==
Myrsine divaricata is a shrub or small tree up to 4m with drooping/weeping{{cite book |last1=Allan |first1=H. H |title=Flora of New Zealand |date=1961 |publisher=R.E. Owen, Government Printer |location=Wellington, New Zealand |isbn=0477010415|oclc=977216383 |url=https://searchworldcat.org/title/977216383}} and divaricating{{cite book |last1=Dawson |first1=J |last2=Lucas |first2=R |title=Field guide to New Zealand's native trees |date=2012 |publisher=Craig Potton|location=Nelson, New Zealand |isbn=978-1877517822|url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/816328841|oclc=816328841}} branchlets, giving this plant a straggly, twiggy and branched look.{{cite book |last1=Hooker|first1=J. D |title=Handbook of the New Zealand flora : a systematic description of the native plants of New Zealand
|date=2011|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge, United Kingdom|isbn=9781108030397|oclc=748679155|url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/748679155}}
Its leaves are small, being between 5–15 mm long by 5–10mm wide,{{cite book |last1=Dawson|first1=J |last2=Lucas |first2= R |title=Nature guide to the New Zealand forest |date=2000|publisher=Godwit|location=Auckland, New Zealand |isbn=9781869620554|oclc=48928831|url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/48928831}} and are on short petioles. They are simple, alternate or in fascicles, often broad-obovate or heart-shaped, and with a smooth margin. Leaves appear leathery, with oil glands dotted throughout.{{cite book |last1=Salmon |first1=J. T |title=The native trees of New Zealand |date=1986 |publisher=Heinemann Reed |location=Wellington, New Zealand |isbn=0790001047 |edition=Rev |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/261361033|oclc=261361033}} Commonly, there will also be a dark marking at the base of the leaf blade.
The trunk of M. divaricata is slim{{cite book |last1=Moore|first1=L. B. |last2= Irwin |first2=J. B. |title=The Oxford book of New Zealand plants |date=1978|publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Wellington, New Zealand |isbn=9780195580358|oclc=3844208 |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/3844208}} with rough, dark brown bark, which is often covered with lichen. The thin branchlets are divaricating, interlaced, spreading, and rigid. They also curve downwards,{{cite book |last1=Dawson |first1=John |last2=Lucas |first2=Rob |last3=Connor |first3=Jane |last4=Sneddon |first4=Barry |title=New Zealand's native trees |date=2019 |publisher=Potton & Burton |location=Nelson, New Zealand |isbn=9780947503987 |edition=Revised version |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/1126327869 |access-date=23 July 2024}} which gives them a drooping appearance.
The pale yellow to reddish flowers are also very small, being 2–3 mm in diameter with 3 or 4 petals. They are found singly, or in fascicles below the leaves.
Its fleshy fruit are often described as a drupe.{{cite book |last1=Webb |first1=C. J. |last2=Simpson |first2=M. J. A. |title=Seeds of New Zealand gymnosperms and dicotyledons |date=2001 |publisher=Manuka Press |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |isbn=9780958329934 |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/50704696}}{{cite journal |last1=Burrows |first1=C. J. |title=Germination behaviour of seeds of the New Zealand woody species Melicope simplex, Myoporum laetum, Myrsine divaricata, and Urtica ferox |journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany |date=1996 |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=205–213 |doi=10.1080/0028825X.1996.10410685 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/0028825X.1996.10410685 |access-date=24 July 2024}} They are small, 4–5 mm in diameter, and round. When ripe, fruits are a bright purple, but can also be mauve,{{cite book |last1=Poole |first1=A. L |last2=Adams |first2=N. M |editor1-last=West |editor1-first=C. J |title=Trees and shrubs of New Zealand |date=1994 |publisher=Manaaki Whenua Press |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |isbn=9780478045352 |edition= Rev|url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/33473843}} or (rarely) white.{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=H. D. |last2=Galloway |first2=T. |title=Small-leaved shrubs of New Zealand |date=1993 |publisher=Manuka Press |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |isbn=0473018519 |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/30480774}} Fruits contain one seed which are round and striped.{{cite book |last1=Eagle |first1=A |title=Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand : volume two |date=2006 |publisher=Te Papa Press |location=Wellington, New Zealand |isbn=0909010080 |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/1268507583 |language=en}}
File:Myrsine divaricata 01.jpg|Leaves
File:Myrsinedivaricataflowers2.jpg|alt=|Flowers
Myrsinedivaricatafruitspurple2.jpg|Fruit
== Range ==
=== Natural global range ===
Myrsine divaricata is endemic to New Zealand.
=== New Zealand range ===
Myrsine divaricata is common and widespread across New Zealand.{{cite journal |last1=Heenan |first1=P. B. |last2=de Lange |first2=P. J. |title=Myrsine aquilonia and M. umbricola (Myrsinaceae), two new species from New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany |date=2004 |volume=42 |issue=5 |pages=753–769 |doi=10.1080/0028825X.2004.9512929 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/0028825X.2004.9512929 |access-date=23 July 2024 |issn=0028-825X}} It can be found in the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, Auckland Islands, and Campbell Islands from lowland to higher montane environments or sea level to 1,200 m.
==Habitat==
This species has been described as a generalist because it can be found in a wide range of habitats throughout New Zealand. However, it especially prefers high fertility sites.
From lowland to montane, it is known to occur in scrubland, inland basins, forests and on forest margins. With a cold sensitivity of −8.5°C,{{cite journal |last1=Dale |first1=E. E. |last2=Larcombe |first2=M. J. |last3=Potter |first3=B. C. M. |last4=Lee |first4=W. G. |title=Diversification and trait evolution in New Zealand woody lineages across changing biomes |journal=Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand |date=January 2024 |volume=54 |issue=1 |pages=98–123 |doi=10.1080/03036758.2022.2108071 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03036758.2022.2108071|pmc=11459814 }} M. divaricata can be found in frost hollows, which are associated with severe frosts and poor drainage.{{cite web |title=Frost hollows |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/naturally-uncommon-ecosystems/inland-and-alpine/frost-hollows/ |website=Manaaki Whenua |access-date=7 September 2024}}
Myrsine divaricata occurs in many woody ecosystems including beech-broadleaved forest alliances, where M. divaricata is a subcanopy species in a silver beech-broadleaf dominated forest{{cite web |title=Nothofagus menziesii - Griselinia littoralis - Myrsine divaricata / Coprosma foetidissima forest |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/woody-ecosystem-types/beech-broadleaved-forest-alliances/silver-beechbroadleaf-forest/ |website=Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research |publisher=Landcare Research |access-date=24 July 2024}} or beech forest alliances.{{cite web |title=Nothofagus menziesii / Hoheria glabrata – Myrsine divaricata – Coprosma ciliata / Polystichum vestitum montane forest |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/woody-ecosystem-types/beech-forest-alliances/silver-beech-forest-mountain-lacebark-weeping-matipo/ |website=Manaaki Whenua |access-date=7 September 2024}} In these ecosystems, M. divaricata is often used as an indicator species.
==Ecology==
=Phenology=
Myrsine divaricata is evergreen and dioecious. Flowering occurs from June to November.{{cite web |last1=Newstrom-Lloyd |first1=L. E. |title=POLLINATION IN NEW ZEALAND |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Ecosystem-services-in-New-Zealand/2_11_Newstrom.pdf |website=Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research |publisher=Landcare Research |access-date=23 July 2024}} A few months later, between August and April, these flowers will mature and fruiting will occur, producing purple fruits that ripen in the same timeframe.{{cite book |last1=Salmon |first1=J. T. |title=New Zealand flowers and plants in colour |date=1970 |publisher=Reed |location=Wellington, New Zealand |isbn=9780589010959 |edition=2nd |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/768247525 |access-date=24 July 2024}} The flowers of M. divaricata are insect pollinated,{{cite journal |last1=McGlone |first1=M. S. |last2=Meurk |first2=C. D. |title=Modern pollen rain, subantarctic Campbell Island, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Ecology |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=181–194 |date=2000 |url=https://newzealandecology.org/nzje/2109.pdf}} and frugivorous birds disperse its seeds.
===Predators, Parasites, and Diseases===
Birds including New Zealand bellbirds and silvereyes, have been observed eating the fruits of M. divaricata. Other birds like riflemen, brown creepers, grey warblers, tomtits, and New Zealand fantails use M. divaricata to forage for other things, like invertebrates.{{cite journal |last1=O'Donnell |first1=C. J. |last2=Dilks |first2=P. J |title=Foods and foraging of forest birds in temperate rain-forest, South Westland, New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Ecology |date=1994 |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=87–107}}
The extinct, flightless ratite, moa are also believed to have predated M. divaricata. Moa gizzard content samples have revealed the leaves and seeds of M. divaricata,{{cite journal |last1=Burrows |first1=C. J. |title=SOME EMPIRICAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIET OF MOAS|journal=New Zealand Journal of Ecology |date=1980 |volume=3 |pages=125–130 |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/9986546177 |issn=0110-6465}} indicating that it was once part of the moa diet.
Invertebrates that are known to predate M. divaricata includes moths, beetles, flies, bees, true bugs and nematodes.
Species of moth use M. divaricata as a host plant by feeding on the plant's leaves or flowers as caterpillars.{{cite web |title=PlantSynz - Host Report With Reasons |url=https://plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz/ReportForm.aspx?RecordId=All&Type=P&ReportType=Adv&SortBy=Alpha&MinScore= |website=Plant-SyNZ |publisher=Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua |access-date=28 August 2024}} This has been specifically observed in the moth species, Declana floccosa,{{cite book |last1=Dugdale |first1=J. S. |title=Declana and Ipana : (insecta: Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae) |date=2023 |publisher=Manaaki Whenua–Landcare Research |location=Lincoln, New Zealand |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Fauna-of-NZ-Series/FNZ82screen.pdf}} Apoctena flavescens, Gellonia pannularia, Pseudocoremia insignita, Pyrgotis plagiatana, and Pasiphila inductata.{{cite journal |last1=Dugdale |first1=J. S. |title=Entomology of the Auckland and other Islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae. |journal=Pacific Insects Monograph |date=1971 |volume=27 |pages=55–172}}
Beetles can be found on M. divaricata, often living in dead parts of the plant, like branches, twigs, or bark. This includes Cacephatus aucklandicus,{{cite book |last1=Holloway |first1=B. A. |title=Anthribidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) |date=1982 |publisher=Science Information Division, DSIR |location=Wellington, New Zealand |isbn=9780477067034 |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Fauna-of-NZ-Series/FNZ03Holloway1982300_000.pdf}} Ophryops dispar,{{cite journal |last1=Fox |first1=K. J. |title=Entomology of the Egmont National Park |journal=New Zealand Entomologist |date=1982 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=286–289 |doi=10.1080/00779962.1982.9722400 |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/4898012577 |language=en |issn=0077-9962 |oclc=4898012577|url-access=subscription }} Microcryptorhynchus latitarsis, Microcryptorhynchus multisetosus, Microcryptorhynchus suillus, Microcryptorhynchus kronei, Pachyderris punctiventris, Psepholax sulcatus, and Strongylopterus hylobioides.{{cite book |last1=Lyal |first1=C. H. C. |title=Cryptorhynchinae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae) |date=1993 |publisher=Manaaki Whenua Press |location=Lincoln, New Zealand |isbn=9780478045185 |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Fauna-of-NZ-Series/FNZ29Lyal1993_001.pdf |language=en}}
Species of gall fly from the family Cecidomyiidae use M. divaricata as a host plant by inducing and living in galls on the plant as larvae.
Myrsine divaricata is regarded as good bee forage by farmers.{{cite book |last1=Newstrom-Lloyd |first1=L. E. |title=Pollination in New Zealand |date=2013 |publisher=Manaaki Whenua Press |location=Lincoln, New Zealand |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Ecosystem-services-in-New-Zealand/2_11_Newstrom.pdf}} Bee species that are native and introduced to New Zealand will use this plant for pollen and nectar.
True bugs have been found using M. divaricata as a host plant, specifically Toxoptera aurantii,{{cite web |title=Aphids: Plant Health & Environment Laboratory, Auckland, New Zealand |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Tools-And-Resources/collections/NZAC/Aphids_PANZ_2011.pdf |website=Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research |access-date=28 August 2024}}
Aneurus (Aneurodellus) zealandensis,{{cite journal |last1=Heiss |first1=E. |title=Review of the genus Aneurus from New Zealand with description of three new species (Heteroptera, Aradidae) |journal=New Zealand Journal of Zoology |date=1998 |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=29–42 |doi=10.1080/03014223.1998.9518134 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03014223.1998.9518134|url-access=subscription }} Eriococcus setulosus,{{cite book |last1=Hoy |first1=J. M. |title=Eriococcidae (Homoptera: Coccoidea) of New Zealand |date=1962 |publisher=New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research |location=Wellington, New Zealand |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/1826014}} Umbonichiton hymenantherae{{cite web |title=Umbonichiton hymenantherae (Maskell) |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/discover-our-research/biodiversity-biosecurity/plants-invertebrates-fungi-and-bacteria/invertebrate-systematics/scale-insects/factsheets/umbonichiton-hymenantherae/ |website=Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research |access-date=28 August 2024}}{{cite book |last1=Hodgson |first1=C. J. |title=Coccidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccoidea) |date=2000 |publisher=Manaaki Whenua Press |location=Lincoln, New Zealand |isbn=0478093357}} Poliaspis media,{{cite book |last1=Henderson |first1=R. C. |title=Diaspididae (Insecta:Hemiptera:Coccoidea) |date=2011 |publisher=Manaaki Whenua Press |location=Lincoln, New Zealand |isbn=9780478347265 |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Fauna-of-NZ-Series/FNZ66Diaspididae144.pdf}} Leucaspis gigas, and Rastrococcus namartini.
The nematode species Criconema (Criconema) spinicaudatumwill and Blandicephalanema nothofagi are associated with M. divaricata.{{cite book |last1=Wouts |first1=W. M. |title=Criconematina (Nematoda:Tylenchida) |date=2006 |publisher=Manaaki Whenua Press |location=Lincoln, New Zealand |isbn=9780478093810 |url=https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Fauna-of-NZ-Series/FNZ55Criconematina2006144.pdf}}
Introduced mammals such as deers, chamois,{{cite journal |last1=Wardle |first1=J. |last2=Hayward |first2=J. |title=THE FORESTS AND SCRUBLANDS OF THE TARAMAKAU AND THE EFFECTS OF BROWSING BY DEER AND CHAMOIS |journal=Proceedings (New Zealand Ecological Society)|issue=17 |date=1970 |pages=80–91|issn=0077-9946}} and goats{{cite journal |last1=Pollock |first1=M. L |last2=Lee |first2=W. G. |last3=Walker |first3=S. |last4=Forrester |first4=G. |title=Ratite and ungulate preferences for woody New Zealand plants: influence of chemical and physical traits |journal=New Zealand Journal of Ecology |date=2007 |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=68–78 |issn=0110-6465}} will predate M. divaricata. Common brush tailed possums will also predate M. divaricata, but this is very rare.{{cite journal |last1=COLEMAN |first1=J. D. |last2=GREEN |first2=W. Q. |last3=POLSON |first3=J. G. |title=DIET OF BRUSHTAIL POSSUMS OVER A PASTURE-ALPINE GRADIENT IN WESTLAND, NEW ZEALAND |journal=New Zealand Journal of Ecology |date=1985 |volume=8 |pages=21–35}}
Despite being susceptible to mammalian browsing, M. divaricata is very tolerant because of its diveracate form.
Plants known to parasitise Myrsine divaricata include mistletoes from the genus Korthalsella.{{cite journal |last1=Sultan |first1=A. |last2=Tate |first2=J. A. |last3=de Lange |first3=P. J. |last4=Glenny |first4=D. |last5=Ladley |first5=J. J. |last6=Heenan |first6=P. |last7=Robertson |first7=A. W. |title=Host range, host specificity, regional host preferences and genetic variability of Korthalsella Tiegh. (Viscaceae) mistletoes in New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Botany |date=2018 |volume=56 |issue=2 |pages=127–162 |doi=10.1080/0028825X.2018.1464476 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/0028825X.2018.1464476|url-access=subscription }} Both Korthalsella lindsayi, and Korthalsella clavata use M. divaricata as a host.
Evolution
The divaricate form in M. divaricata is theorised to have coevolved as defensive adaptation against the moa. It is believed that the divaricate form prevented heavy moa predation on leaves tightly held within the plant's branches.
The stems of divaricate plant species also have almost twice the tensile strength of non-divaricate plant species on average.{{cite journal |last1=Howard |first1=J. |last2=Cameron |first2=E. |last3=Bellve |first3=A. |last4=Baba |first4=Y. |last5=Wright |first5=S. |title=New Zealand divaricate plant species: Tensile strength and Remote Island occurrence |journal=Austral Ecology |date=2022 |volume=47 |issue=5 |pages=1091–1100 |doi=10.1111/aec.13198 |doi-access=free }} Myrsine divaricata specifically has a stem tensile strength of 16.6 N/mm-2. This means that it would take more strength for a moa to break the stems of divaricate plant species.
Ostriches (an extant relative of moa) in cafeteria-style trials have been shown to strongly select M. divaricata,{{cite journal |last1=Pollock |first1=M. L. |last2=Lee |first2=W. G. |last3=Walker |first3=S. |last4=Forrester |first4=G. |title=Ratite and ungulate preferences for woody New Zealand plants: influence of chemical and physical traits |journal=New Zealand Journal of Ecology |date=2007 |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=68–78 |url=https://era.ed.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/1842/1742/PollockNZJE.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |issn=0110-6465}} providing affirmation towards the fact that the divaricate form did not deter moa browsing, but was useful in preventing damage.
Chromosome number
References
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