2n = 26

2n = 26

Densely branched dioecious shrub to c. 2 m tall, glabrous except for short hairs on the inflorescence. Stem nodes swollen. Leaves with prominent membranous stipules adnate to the proximal 3/5-4/5 of the petiole; free distal part of petiole (3-)6-7 (-10) mm long, green; lamina 7-13(-18) × 7-11 (-17) cm, broadly ovate or almost suborbicular, subcoriaceous, glossy, deep green above, pale beneath; main veins 5-(7), impressed on the upper side of lamina; base cordate; apex shortly and obtusely cuspidate. Inflorescence spikes solitary, rarely paired, terminal and axillary in upper leaf axils, the rachis pubescent. Male spikes 4—11 × 0.6-0.8 cm, rather stout, > female; anthers 1.1-1.3 × 0.8-0.9 mm. Fruiting spikes 6-11 × 1-1.3 cm, stout and + broadly cylindric but slightly tapering towards apex, initially suberect to horizontal, later curving downwards and becoming ± concealed by the leaves, each spike consisting of numerous free drupes or carpels. Individual mature drupes fleshy, orange, c. 3 mm long, 3—4 mm wide across apex, somewhat rounded but often tending to be irregular owing to their dense arrangement; receptacle with ciliate ridges between drupes. Stigmas sessile, situated in a slight depression on the otherwise flattened top of the drupe. Seed c. 2 mm long, 3-4-lobed, ellipsoid on inner face, black and shining. FL Jul-Aug, FT Feb- Mar (in cultivation in Auckland City).

Frutex dioecius ad c. 2 m altus, in habitu densus, praeter breves inflorescentiae pilos glaber. Folii lamina 7—13(—18) × 7—11(—17) cm, late ovata vel paene suborbicularis, subcoriacea, nitidaque; nervi principales 5-(7), supra impressi. Inflorescentia solitaria, axillaris ut videtur; spicae masculae 6-8 mm latae, parce crassae; spicae fructiferae maturae 6-11 × 1.0-1.3 cm, crassae; spicae fructiferae maturae 7-11 × 1.0—1.3 cm, crassae. Drupae liberae; pericarpium aurantiacum carnosumque. A Macropipere excelso drupis liberis, et a proximis tropicis, sicut M. puberulum, inflorescentiis crassis plerumque brevioribus drupisque varie coloratis differt.