Identifying Hangehange (Geniostoma ligustrifolium)

Take great care when identifying wild plants and fungi, this blog is not a resource to be taken by itself and further resources will be linked. Consult other sources and double check. While foraging is an extremely rewarding and useful skill, numerous common plants and fungi can make you sick or kill you. Be absolutely sure of what you’re eating and, when gathering, ensure you leave enough not only to ensure the survival and growth of the species but also enough for others to enjoy, from the human and more-than-human communities. Also cultivate an awareness of contamination and pollution – wastewater runoff, spraying, exhaust fumes – as this should affect your decision to harvest.

The Plant

Geniostoma ligustrifolium is a fragrant flowering shrub belonging to the Loganiaceae family. Hangehange is also known as New Zealand privet or Māori privet even though it is not technically part of the privet family. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in native bush all over the North Island (specifically native to the Wellington Region) and at the northern tip of the South Island. Hangehange thrives as a shrub layer, in the shade, and in lowland forests where it won’t be too wet. Geniostoma means “the tribe of pitted seeds” and ligustrifolium is from the genus Ligustrum (privet) and the Greek word “phylum” (leaf), meaning “privet-leaved”.

Description

Hangehange is a small perennial evergreen shrub and will grow up to around 4 metres tall. The leaves are vibrant green on top and paler underneath and they are very soft. The leaves are 5-7cm long and 2-3 cm wide, the shape is oval but coming to a sharp point, and are quite shiny. Leaves tend to grow in pairs opposite one another. Their branches and stems are slender and brittle. Hangehange produces small green/white flowers in clusters at the base of the heaves. The flowers are slightly hairy, have five petals, and are sometimes female and sometimes hermaphroditic. Once pollinated the seeds develop in sharply pointed green capsules which eventually turn black and split open, showing the two small orange seeds.

Ecology

Geniostoma ligustrifolium can be found blooming in late spring and produce a very fragrant scent and will fruit and seed in late summer. The flowers are pollinated largely by native flies. Hangehange can be found in forests throughout the North Island as a shrub layer in the shade in lowland forests where it isn’t too wet.

Nutritional/Medicinal Information

Hangehange leaves are edible and are a fresh chlorophyll filled green.

The Māori used the sap of the shrub to make a lotion to heal sores and itchy skin.

Possible Lookalikes

Whārangi from the Rutaceae family are somewhat similar looking but tend to grow in a more coastal setting, the plant is taller, leaves are more wavy, and produce brown capsules containing four pods and one black seed each. This plant is non-toxic but isn’t generally considered edible.

Interesting Facts

Hangehange is an important source of nectar for the native hihi and lizards.

The bark can be beaten into a pulp to produce a black dye.

The small flower might be easy to miss but fortunately our native flies are actually very attracted to the pale green colour!

Storage & Cooking

Harvest the fresh new spring leaves of the hangehange shrub and eat them fresh. The leaves will store in the fridge for a couple of days but are best and crisp if used straight away. The leaves will turn black/brown if cooked.

Hangehange leaves taste very similar to sugar snap peas so are delicious raw in summer rolls, cold noodles, fresh salads, or in sandwiches.

Enjoy my fellow foragers!

Further Reading

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Te Motu Kairangi

iNaturalist

Meaning of Trees

Tararua Tramping Club

Visit Zealandia

iNaturalist