Neomyrtus pedunculata

Neomyrtus pedunculata, known by its Māori name rōhutu, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) endemic to New Zealand, occurring in lowland to lower montane forests of both the North and South Islands and on Stewart Island. It typically grows 3–8 m tall, occasionally to 10 m, with a slender, often crooked trunk and smooth, pale grey to brown bark that flakes off in distinctive papery patches. The opposite leaves are small, ovate-oblong, 5–12 mm long, dotted with conspicuous translucent oil glands, with entire margins and a leathery texture; young foliage is often tinged pinkish-red. Small, solitary white flowers, 5–8 mm across, are borne on slender pedicels in the leaf axils through spring and early summer, each with four petals and a fluffy boss of numerous stamens. The fruit is a small, ovoid berry 4–6 mm long, ripening from yellow through orange to red and finally deep purplish-black. The species favours moist broadleaf-podocarp forest understories.