Meryta J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Trees or shrubs, dioecious. Leaves alternate, clustered at branch ends, simple, usually entire (except in juvenile foliage); stipules fused with petiole base. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, of crowded umbellules or clustered heads. Calyx reduced to a rim, sometimes shallowly toothed or absent. Petals 3–5 (–6), valvate. Stamens as many as petals, sterile or absent in female flowers. Ovary inferior, 4–15-locular, rudimentary or absent in male flowers; ovule 1 per locule; styles basally united, persistent; stigmatic arms spreading in fruit. Fruit often congested and laterally united, drupaceous, somewhat fleshy when ripe.

A number of species are cultivated as ornamental trees, e.g. the New Caledonian endemic Meryta denhamii (Denham’s Meryta) and the New Zealand Meryta sinclairii (Puka). Mertya trees are considered sacred in some native Pacific cultures, and plants have various uses by the Māori.