Melicope ternata
Melicope ternata (wharangi) is a glossy-leaved shrub or small tree in the citrus family (Rutaceae), native to coastal and lowland forest margins of New Zealand, especially in the North Island and northern South Island. Aromatic foliage, clusters of small greenish-white flowers and black capsules are characteristic. Wharangi is valued for coastal shelter, amenity planting, and biodiversity plantings. native shrubs
Image credit: Wharangi (Melicope ternata). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Melicope ternata |
|---|---|
| Height | 2–6 m (small tree in sheltered sites) |
| Spread | 2–4 m |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate; higher in sandy/coastal sites during establishment |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Young plants tender; moderate once established in mild climates |
| Salt Tolerance | Good in sheltered coastal positions |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | Long-lived shrub/small tree |
Best in mild coastal to lowland climates with free-draining soils. Tolerates wind and salt; prefers protection from severe frost when young.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Ideal |
| Auckland | Ideal |
| Hamilton | Ideal |
| Tauranga | Ideal |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Ideal |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Ideal |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Moderate |
| Dunedin | Moderate |
| Invercargill | Moderate |
Prefers free-draining, moderately fertile soils; tolerates sandy soils near coast.
Enjoys good light:
Moderate during establishment; relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Minimal pruning needed. Tip-prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Avoid heavy cuts into old wood.
Autumn and spring are ideal for establishment in most regions.
Wharangi is native to coastal and lowland forests of Aotearoa, often on warm, sheltered slopes and forest margins. The aromatic foliage reflects its relationship to citrus.
For coastal shelter, plant in staggered rows 60–90 cm apart and trim lightly in the first two years to encourage dense branching.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Wharangi plays important ecological roles in New Zealand's coastal and forest margin ecosystems, providing food resources for native birds through its berries and supporting diverse communities of invertebrates attracted to its aromatic foliage and flowers. The plant's hardy growth and ability to establish in disturbed areas makes it valuable for natural succession and ecosystem recovery, while its distinctive chemical compounds may provide natural protection against herbivores and pathogens. Its tolerance of challenging conditions makes it important for maintaining vegetation cover in exposed coastal and forest edge environments.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
While not currently threatened, wharangi faces ongoing challenges from habitat modification, browsing by introduced mammals, and competition from invasive weeds that can impact its establishment and growth in natural environments. The species' adaptability makes it valuable for restoration projects, but maintaining healthy populations requires management of browsing pressure and invasive species control. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, controlling introduced pests and weeds, and promoting the species' use in appropriate restoration projects where its hardy characteristics and ecological value can contribute to ecosystem recovery.
This plant has cultural associations in Aotearoa and is valued in restoration and gardens for ecological services; use eco‑sourced stock near natural areas.
Wharangi was valued by Māori for its aromatic properties and medicinal applications, with various parts of the plant used to treat ailments and its distinctive citrus-like fragrance making it readily recognizable in coastal and forest environments. The plant's hardy nature and ability to establish in challenging coastal conditions made it important in traditional ecological knowledge as an indicator of specific environmental conditions. The species continues to hold cultural interest as one of New Zealand's distinctive native shrubs and represents the sophisticated traditional knowledge of plant properties and uses.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
