Elaeocarpus dentatus

Elaeocarpus dentatus
E. dentatus in Lower Hutt
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Genus: Elaeocarpus
Species:
E. dentatus
Binomial name
Elaeocarpus dentatus
Varieties
  • Elaeocarpus dentatus var. dentatus
  • Elaeocarpus dentatus var. obovatus
Natural range of Hīnau
Synonyms

Elaeocarpus dentatus, commonly known as hinau (Māori: hīnau), is a native lowland forest tree of New Zealand. Other names in Māori for the tree are hangehange, pōkākā, and whīnau.

A member of the family Elaeocarpaceae, it is found on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, but not on Stewart Island. The leaves are dark green, with a toothed edge. On the underside of the leaf, small domatia are present. Clusters of small white flowers are produced in spring, and in late summer the flowers form into a fleshy fruit.

It was officially first recorded for science by botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on 5 November 1769.