Griselinia is a genus of seven species of shrubs and trees, with a highly disjunct distribution native to New Zealand and South America. It is a classic example of the Antarctic flora.

It is the sole genus in the family Griseliniaceae; in the past it was often placed in the Cornaceae (dogwood family, order Cornales), but differs from that in many features; recent genetic evidence from the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group has shown that it is correctly placed in the Apiales.

The leaves are evergreen, smooth and glossy above, often paler below. The flowers are very small, with five sepals and stamens and a single stigma, but no petals. The fruit is a small berry.

New Zealand species

The two New Zealand species are large shrubs or trees, from 4-20 m tall. The vernacular names are of Maori origin.

• G. littoralis - Kapuka; leaves 6-14 cm long.
• G. lucida - Akapuka; differs from G. littoralis in larger leaves, to 12-18 cm long.

South American species

The five South American species are smaller shrubs, 1-5 m tall. All are known as Yelmo.

• G. carlomunozii - coastal northern Chile (Antofagasta)
• G. jodinifolia - Chile
• G. racemosa - southern Chile (Los Lagos, Aisén) and adjacent Argentina (western Chubut)
• G. ruscifolia - Argentina, Chile, southeast Brazil
• G. scandens - central and southern Chile

External links

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• Pictures of Griselinia jodinifolia and Griselinia racemosa from Chilebosque.

Apiales

Griseliniaceae | Griselinia | Griseliniaceae