Header Photograph : Sophora tetraptera: NZ Kowhai. Whangarei.
NEW ZEALAND NATIVE TREES .
AGATHIS
Agathis Australis - Kauri - A Northland Icon.
Botanical name Agathis australis :
The two photographs show this Northland icon growing in non-bush areas. Above are two Kauri growing side-by-side in a garden in Kensington, and left is a grove of kauri in Kensington park. The kauri makes a good speciemen tree in the home garden, provided you have the room to allow it to grow in the open. It is not recommended to plant close to other trees as you will not get the end result of a large bushy head on a tall bushy trunk. Young kauri grow fast for the first 20 years. Keep the area around the trunk clear and do not clean up the sheaded bark and crumpled seed cones as this is a natural mulch for the kauri, which in the wild can get a few feet thick around the base of the trunk. Do not use artificial fertilizer.
Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest is estimated to be up to 2000 years old. It is well worth a trip to see. Kauri grow naturally in Northland, Auckland and Coromandel. BELOW - The Male Rod and Female cone of the kauri.
The two photographs show this Northland icon growing in non-bush areas. Above are two Kauri growing side-by-side in a garden in Kensington, and left is a grove of kauri in Kensington park. The kauri makes a good speciemen tree in the home garden, provided you have the room to allow it to grow in the open. It is not recommended to plant close to other trees as you will not get the end result of a large bushy head on a tall bushy trunk. Young kauri grow fast for the first 20 years. Keep the area around the trunk clear and do not clean up the sheaded bark and crumpled seed cones as this is a natural mulch for the kauri, which in the wild can get a few feet thick around the base of the trunk. Do not use artificial fertilizer.
Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest is estimated to be up to 2000 years old. It is well worth a trip to see. Kauri grow naturally in Northland, Auckland and Coromandel. BELOW - The Male Rod and Female cone of the kauri.
ALECTRYON.
Alectryon excelsus : Titoki -
BOTANICAL NAME : Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as tītoki is a
shiny-leaved New Zealand native, growing naturally in coastal and lowland forests. Titoki is found throughout most of the North Island and from Banks Peninsula to central Westland in the South Island. A. excelsus is a canopy tree growing to 9 metres in height. It has a twisting
trunk with smooth dark bark, spreading branches and shiny feather-like leaves.
Tītoki produces small purple flowers in spring and the seeds take up to a year to mature. The see capsule splits to reveal a bright red and black fruit which is a favourite food of the Kereru, New Zealand Wood Pigeon. Titoki is the Maori name and prefered common name. It was formerly known as the New Zealand Oak. Grows very well in Northland and is used as a street tree in Whangarei where there are two trees growing in John Street. Pictures show a tree growing on the Waiarohia Reseve in Whangarei. Below is a Titoki showing its seed pods.
trunk with smooth dark bark, spreading branches and shiny feather-like leaves.
Tītoki produces small purple flowers in spring and the seeds take up to a year to mature. The see capsule splits to reveal a bright red and black fruit which is a favourite food of the Kereru, New Zealand Wood Pigeon. Titoki is the Maori name and prefered common name. It was formerly known as the New Zealand Oak. Grows very well in Northland and is used as a street tree in Whangarei where there are two trees growing in John Street. Pictures show a tree growing on the Waiarohia Reseve in Whangarei. Below is a Titoki showing its seed pods.
AVICENNIA
BOTANICAL NAME: Avicennia marina, Known to Maori as Manawa, but more commonly known as grey mangrove or white mangrove. A. marina is a species of mangrove tree classified in the plant family Acanthaceae. As with other mangroves, it occurs in tidal creeks and estuarine areas. World wide, Mangrove species are distributed over a great area of coastal wetlands, particularly Africa and Asia.. However, in New Zealand it only occurs in Northland. Photographs taken from Mangrove Walkway, Hatea River, Whangarei.
Avicennia marina subspecies australasica: Mangrove - Manawa (Maori)
BARK: Trees On The Dobbie Track, Mount Parihaka.
BEILSCHMIEDIA
Beilschmiedia taraire - Taraire.
BOTANICAL NAME: Beilschmiedia tarairi - the common name is the Maori name Taraire. A tree of the Lauraceae family, found in the North Island of New Zealand, common in lowland forests north of Auckland, often growing in association with kauri - Agathis australis, pōhutukawa Metrosideros excelsa, tawapou Pouteria costata, and with pūriri Vitex lucens. Beilschmiedia is a genus of about 40 mainly tropical trees and shrubs, but B. taraire and B. tawa are the only NZ species. It only occurs in the North Island north of 38°S latitude. It is most common north of Auckland and Thames Photographs were taken in Tarewa Park, Whangarei.
Beilschmiedia tawa - Tawa.
BPTANICAL NAME: Beilschmiedia tawa is a New Zealand broadleaf tree not as common in the Northland forest as further south but grows in the Coronation Reserve and Parihaka Reserves. Individual specimens may grow up to 30 metres or more in height with trunks up to 1.2 metres in diameter, and they have smooth dark bark. The word "tawa" is the Maori name for the tree. B. Tawa produces small flowers followed by 2 - 3.5 cm long fruit of a dark red plum colour. With such large fruits the Tawa seed is spread by the Kererū which is the Maori name for the New Zealand Woodpigeon and the North Island Kōkako. These are the only remaining birds from New Zealand's original fauna large enough to eat the fruits of this tree and pass the seeds through their guts and excrete them unharmed. Tawa often supports significant epiphyte growth in their canopies. Pictures taken in the Coronation Reserve, and A.H.Reed Memorial Kauri Park, Whangarei.
CONIFERS. New Zealand’s 20 species of conifer belong to four families. The largest is the podocarp family, with seven genera represented, including the genus Manoao, which is found nowhere else in the world.
Agathis australis Kauri: Libocedrus bidwillii Kaikawaka: Libocedrus plumosa Kawaka: Dacrydium cupressinum Rimu: Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Kahikatea: Halocarpus bidwillii Bog pine: Halocarpus biformis Pink pine: Halocarpus kirkii Manoao: Lepidothamnus intermedius Yellow silver pine:
Lepidothamnus laxifolius Pygmy pine: Manoao colensoi Silver pine: Podocarpus acutifolius Needle-leaved tōtara: Podocarpus hallii Hall’s tōtara:
Podocarpus nivalis Snow tōtara: Podocarpus totara Tōtara: Prumnopitys ferruginea Miro: Prumnopitys taxifolia Mataī: Phyllocladus alpinus
Mountain toatoa: Phyllocladus toatoa Toatoa: Phyllocladus trichomanoides Tanekaha. Most are suited to Northland's climate.
CORDYLINE.
Cordyline australis : Cabbage Tree - Ti Kouka.
BOTANICAL NAME: Cordyline australis, commonly known as the cabbage tree,
is a widely branched monocot tree native to New Zealand. It can grow up to 20 metres (66 ft) tall[1] with a
stout trunk and sword-like leaves, which are clustered at the tips of the
branches and can be up to 1 metre (3 ft) long. With its tall, straight trunk and
dense, rounded heads, C. australis is a characteristic feature of the New
Zealand landscape. Its fruit is a favourite food source for the native pigeon and other native birds. It is common over a wide latitudinal range from the far north to the south of the South
Island. The Māori name is tī kōuka. Maori used it to weave utensils and cloaks. C.
australis is widely planted in New Zealand gardens, parks and streets, and grows very well in Northland, in fact growing naturally in Northland, C. australis shows a great deal of genetic diversity, possibly due to old genetic lines haveing endured. Pictured is a tree growing in the Waiarohea Reserve, Whangarei. Left is a picture of the seed head.
stout trunk and sword-like leaves, which are clustered at the tips of the
branches and can be up to 1 metre (3 ft) long. With its tall, straight trunk and
dense, rounded heads, C. australis is a characteristic feature of the New
Zealand landscape. Its fruit is a favourite food source for the native pigeon and other native birds. It is common over a wide latitudinal range from the far north to the south of the South
Island. The Māori name is tī kōuka. Maori used it to weave utensils and cloaks. C.
australis is widely planted in New Zealand gardens, parks and streets, and grows very well in Northland, in fact growing naturally in Northland, C. australis shows a great deal of genetic diversity, possibly due to old genetic lines haveing endured. Pictured is a tree growing in the Waiarohea Reserve, Whangarei. Left is a picture of the seed head.
Cordyline australis 'Albertii': Variegated Cabbage Tree.
BOTANICAL NAME : Cordyline australis 'Albertii'. Common name - Variegated Cabbage Tree. This is a beautifully maked variegated plant, with very attractive light green & white foliage. Pictures show C. australis 'Albertii', growing outside Forum North in Whangarei. In England the plant is very sought after as an indoor plant and can cost about fifty pounds. These plants are very much at home in Whangarei.
Cordyline Australia 'Bronze Warrior': Bronze Cabbage Tree.
NB: There are a number of Cordyline species available in ornamental horticulture, not all of these are native to New Zealand. Many come from Australia and Asia, most are small trees or shrubs. Some examples are shown below.
CORYNOCARPUS.
Corynocarpus laevigatus: Karaka (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Corynocarpus laevigatus - Common name, Karaka which is the Maori name. It is an evergreen tree, of the family Corynocarpaceae, with large glossy leaves, and is native to New Zealand, where it grows in coastal situations, often forming a major component of coastal forest, although it is rarely a dominant tree. C. lavigatus was planted by Maori around pa sites. Karaka is a canopy tree with erect or spreading branches which grows to heights of up to 15 metres. The thick glossy, leathery, dark green leaves are often used for wreath making. It flowers in winter and spring (August to November). The fruit is oval with pale
yellow to orange flesh, and the seed is a single kernel. The fruit ripens in summer and autumn January to April and the seed dispersion is the result of scattering by birds. Pictures show a tree growing in the Waiarohia Reserve, Whangarei. Its natural habitat is the North Island of NZ, so it is perfectly at home in Northland gardens. Photographs taken on the Hatea River Walkway, Whangarei.
yellow to orange flesh, and the seed is a single kernel. The fruit ripens in summer and autumn January to April and the seed dispersion is the result of scattering by birds. Pictures show a tree growing in the Waiarohia Reserve, Whangarei. Its natural habitat is the North Island of NZ, so it is perfectly at home in Northland gardens. Photographs taken on the Hatea River Walkway, Whangarei.
DACRYDIUM.
Dacrydium Cupressinum : Rimu (Maori) - Red Pine.
BOTANICAL NAME : Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known by the Maori name, rimu. D. cupressinum is a large evergreen coniferous tree native to New Zealand. It is a member of the southern conifer group, the podocarps. The former common name "red pine" is no longer used.
Pictured above are two Rimu growing behind the old library at Forum North (bottom right of picture is the juvenile form of lancewood). Left is a juvemile Rimu growing in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei.
Pictured above are two Rimu growing behind the old library at Forum North (bottom right of picture is the juvenile form of lancewood). Left is a juvemile Rimu growing in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei.
Dodonaea viscosa:
BOTANICAL NAME: Dodonaea viscosa: Common Name, AkeAke (Maori). A species of flowering plant belonging to the family Sapindaceae. It is native to New Zealand where it is found throughout the North Island, Banks Peninsula and near Greymouth in the South Island. D. viscosa is also found in Africa, the Americas, southern Asia and Australia. It grows up to 10 metres, and is a popular border tree, especially the purple foliage form, Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, which only grows to about 4 metres. Photographs were taken on the banks of the Waiarohia Stream in Whangarei.
DYSOXYLUM.
Dysoxylum spectabile: Common Name - Kohekohe (Maori) - NZ Mahogany.
BOTANICAL NAME: Dysoxylum spectabile, common name Kohekohe, which is also the Maori name. and New Zealand mahogany. It is a medium-sized tree native to New Zealand. It is found in lowland and coastal
forests throughout most of North Island and is one of the dominant species in the native reserves around Whangarei. It is also found in the Marlborough Sounds in the north of the South Island. Mature trees grow up to 15m in height, with a trunk up to a metre in diameter. Kohekohe forest used to be common in damp coastal and lowland areas in the North Island, but these forests have mostly disappeared, however, the tree florishes in the Coronation Scenic Reserve on the Wester N Hills of Whangarei, and in the Parihaka Reserves. The foliage is glossy grean and can be used in wreath making. LEFT- The base of a large kohekohe growing in the Coronation Reserve with young Kohekohe seedling around it.
forests throughout most of North Island and is one of the dominant species in the native reserves around Whangarei. It is also found in the Marlborough Sounds in the north of the South Island. Mature trees grow up to 15m in height, with a trunk up to a metre in diameter. Kohekohe forest used to be common in damp coastal and lowland areas in the North Island, but these forests have mostly disappeared, however, the tree florishes in the Coronation Scenic Reserve on the Wester N Hills of Whangarei, and in the Parihaka Reserves. The foliage is glossy grean and can be used in wreath making. LEFT- The base of a large kohekohe growing in the Coronation Reserve with young Kohekohe seedling around it.
KNIGHTIA
Knightia excels: Rewarewa.
BOTANICAL NAME: Knightia excels. Common Name, Rewarewa (Maori), New Zealand Honeysuckle. Grows in the North Island and the top coastal Marlborough Sounds and D'Urville island, from sea level to about 850 metres. the trunk may be up to 1m in diameter, leaves are leathery and serrated. Flowers in dense racemes about 10cm long. The flowers are nectar producing, so are visited by birds. It is a member of the Protea family, Proteaceae.
Photographs were taken in the Whangarei CBD where the trees are growing as a street tree in Dent Street.
Photographs were taken in the Whangarei CBD where the trees are growing as a street tree in Dent Street.
MERYTA.
Meryta sinclairii: Puka - Pukanui.
BOTANICAL NAME: Meryta sinclaitii. Common name - Puka or Pukanui both of which are Maori names. M. sinclairii is a large-leaved evergreen tree native to New Zealand that grows to about 8 m tall, with the distinctly tropical appearance typical of the genus of wich there are about 27 species. All are small, resinous trees of the subtropical and tropical Pacific Ocean.
Puka occurs naturally on the Three Kings Islands and the Hen and Chickens Islands and grows in abundance in the relatively sheltered valleys. However, it is very hardy and is drought tolerant. It is perfectly at home in Northland and can be grown from softwood tip cuttings. The tree produces panicles of green-white flowers followed bunches of black berries. Photographs show M. sinclaitii growing in the Waiarohia Reserve, Whangarei. Note the bunch of unripened berries. Below: the flower of the Puka.
Puka occurs naturally on the Three Kings Islands and the Hen and Chickens Islands and grows in abundance in the relatively sheltered valleys. However, it is very hardy and is drought tolerant. It is perfectly at home in Northland and can be grown from softwood tip cuttings. The tree produces panicles of green-white flowers followed bunches of black berries. Photographs show M. sinclaitii growing in the Waiarohia Reserve, Whangarei. Note the bunch of unripened berries. Below: the flower of the Puka.
METROSIDEROS.
Metrosideros excelsa - Pohutukawa - New Zealand Christmas Tree.
BOTANICAL NAME : Metrosideros exelsa - The Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) is a coastal evergreen tree in the family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display of spikey red flowers made up of a mass of stamens. The Pōhutukawa is one of twelve species which include the Rata, in the genus Metrosideros endemic to New Zealand. It is able to survive even perched on rocky coastal cliffs, it has found an important place in New Zealand culture for its strength and beauty and is regarded as a chiefly tree (rākau rangatira) by Māori. Commonly called the New Zealand Christmas tree because its flush of flowers burst into colour in late December. Pohutukawa is the Maori name.
For a close-up photograph of the flower see the header on the Home Page.
For a close-up photograph of the flower see the header on the Home Page.
Metrosideros excelsa 'Aurea'; Yellow Flowered Pohutukawa.
BOTANICAL NAME: Metrosideros excels 'Aurea' - Common Name -The Yellow Pohutukawa
(M. excelsa 'Aurea') is a rare colour form. It is a coastal evergreen tree in the family Myrtaceae. It produces a brilliant display of yellow flowers earlier than the red flowered form, flowering in November. Its flower is made up of a mass of stamens. This yellow-flowered form "Aurea" was propagated from a pair discovered in 1840 on Motiti Island of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty by a Mr Potts. It can reach a height of 20m. Photographs taken at the foot of the Coronation Reserve near Russell Rd, Whangarei.
(M. excelsa 'Aurea') is a rare colour form. It is a coastal evergreen tree in the family Myrtaceae. It produces a brilliant display of yellow flowers earlier than the red flowered form, flowering in November. Its flower is made up of a mass of stamens. This yellow-flowered form "Aurea" was propagated from a pair discovered in 1840 on Motiti Island of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty by a Mr Potts. It can reach a height of 20m. Photographs taken at the foot of the Coronation Reserve near Russell Rd, Whangarei.
MYOPORUM
Myoporum laetum: Ngaio (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Myoporum laetum Common name, Ngaio (Maori). A member of the plant family Scrophulariaceae native to New Zealand. Ngaio is a fast growing evergreen shrub or medium sized rounded tree. It grows to a height of 10 metres, and bears white blossoms with purple spots from mid spring to mid summer. The bark has a brownish furrowed look. The leaves contain small oil glands which appear as small yellow or white speckles, making the leaf quite distinguishable from those of other shrubs. The white flowers are bisexual and borne on axillary cymes. The fruit is a bright red drupe 6-9 mm long. Ngaio grows very well in coastal areas of New Zealand and towards lowland forest. It is grown widely in reserves and banked areas or beside water courses throughout Northland. Myoporum laetum has been introduced to several other countries including Spain, Portugal, Chile, and the United States. It is considered and has become an invasive exotic species in California. BELOW - A large Myoporum laetum growing on the bank of the Waiarohia Stream in Cafler Park, Whangarei.
PHYLLOCLADUS.
Phyllocladus trichomanoides - Tanekaha.
BOTANICAL NAME: Phyllocladus trichomanoides - The Common name is Tanekaha. It is a conifer, native to New Zealand. Tanekaha is a medium-sized tree which grows up to 20 metres high and has a trunk diameter of up to one metre. It has a very distinctive bark (see photograph) although sometimes young trees are confused with juvenile kauri. The leaves are tiny, scale-like, 2–3 mm long. It grows naturally in the Whangarei bush reserves where these photographs were taken.
PODOCARPUS
Podocarpus totara : Totara(Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME : Podocarpus totara. Totara is the Maori name which is also the common name. A species of podocarp tree native to New Zealand. It grows in both the North Island and South Island in lowland and lower subalpine forest up to 600 meters above sea level. The tōtara is a medium to large tree which grows slowly to around 20 to 25 metres. It is noted for its longevity and the great girth of its trunk, and for its bark, which peels off in papery flakes. The foliage is dull green, with needle-like leaves. It produces highly modified cones with 2 to 4 fused, fleshy berry-like juicy scales, bright red when mature. The cone contains one or two rounded seeds at the apex of the scales. Totara grow exceptionally well in Northland, which is a natural habitat. Pictured left is the foliage of the Totara. Above is a Totara tree growing in Cafler Park, Whangarei.
Podocarpus totara 'Aurea': Golden Totara.
BOTANICAL NAME: Podocarpus totara hybrid 'Aurea': Common Name - Golden totara. A New Zealand native hybrid that is a smaller growing form of the green totara (Podocarpus totara). It is a hybrid cross between Podocarpus acutifolius and Podocarpus totara, and has a branching habit with yellow or golden foliage. It is slow growing and can obtain a height of over 10m. Photographs taken by Western Hills Highway, Whangarei.
PRUMNOPITYS.
Prumnopitys ferruginea - Miro - Brown Pine.
BOTANICAL NAME: Prumnopitys ferruginea - The common nane is miro, which is the Maoti name. It is an evergreen conifer which is native to New Zealand. It was previously known as Podocarpus
ferrugineus. It grows up to 25 metres tall, with a trunk up to 1.3 metres in diameter. The leaves are 15-25 mm long and very attractive looking somewhat feather-like. The plants are either male or female. The seeds are dispersed by the Kererū (New Zealand Wood Pigeon), which eats the very conspicuous 'berries' and passes the seeds in its droppings. It is found growing on both lowland terrain and on hill slopes throughout the two main islands as well as on Stewart Island/Rakiura. The photographs were taken on old farmland beside the Hatea River.
FLOWERS & FRUIT - Female flowers are born in pairs on short branchlets and the fruit takes 12 months to ripen to a red berry. Male cones stand erect from the branchlets to release their pollen.
ferrugineus. It grows up to 25 metres tall, with a trunk up to 1.3 metres in diameter. The leaves are 15-25 mm long and very attractive looking somewhat feather-like. The plants are either male or female. The seeds are dispersed by the Kererū (New Zealand Wood Pigeon), which eats the very conspicuous 'berries' and passes the seeds in its droppings. It is found growing on both lowland terrain and on hill slopes throughout the two main islands as well as on Stewart Island/Rakiura. The photographs were taken on old farmland beside the Hatea River.
FLOWERS & FRUIT - Female flowers are born in pairs on short branchlets and the fruit takes 12 months to ripen to a red berry. Male cones stand erect from the branchlets to release their pollen.
Prumnopitys taxifolia - Matai - Black Pine Black Yew.
BOTANICAL NAME: Prumnopitys taxifolia. Common name - Black Pine, more commonly referred to by the Maori name, Matai. The name taxifolia comes from its resemblance of the leaves of the yew (Taxus). In the past the species, like the other species of Prumnopitys, was often included in Podocarpus. us. It is distinguished from Miro by the shorter, more slender leaves and the globose violet-purple cones. Unlike the related Miro (P. ferruginea), Mataī has a distinctive and long-lasting juvenile stage. The juvenile is a shrub has slender, flexible, divaricating branchlets. Matai has male and femail trees. The male tree produces cones that arise on spikes from the leaf axils, and are often borne in great profusion. The female trees produce tiny ovules, occurring in groups of three to ten on axillary spikes up to 40 mm long. Most ovules do not develop into seeds but usually atrophy. The timber of this tree was used extensively in New Zealand for flooring during the mid-20th century. Mataī is not threatened, although as a forest-type it has been greatly reduced through widespread logging. Very few intact examples of Mataī-dominated forest remain.
PSEUDOPANAX
Pseudopanax lessonii: Houpara or Five-Finger.
BOTANICAL NAME: Pseudopanax lessonii. Common name : houpara, which is the Maori name. It is a native tree belonging to the family Araliaceae. Houpara is a shrub or small tree up to 6 m tall, with stout branches. The leaves are compact, and the plant makes a very nice container shrub for patios, and is also a popular garden plant due to its compact form an attractive foliage. the leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets, so is sometimes commonly called Five Finger. The leaves of juvenile plants are larger than the adult leaves.
Endemic to New Zealand, P. lessonii grows naturally in coastal forest and scrub on the Three Kings Islands and the North Island as far south as Poverty Bay, but not on the West Coast.
Endemic to New Zealand, P. lessonii grows naturally in coastal forest and scrub on the Three Kings Islands and the North Island as far south as Poverty Bay, but not on the West Coast.
Pseudopanax lessonii variegate: Variegated Five-Finger.
Pseudopanax crassifolius: Lancewood - Horoeka (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Pseudopanax crassifolius. Common Names - horoeka or lancewood. A New Zealand native tree belonging to the family Araliaceae, found throughout New Zealand from sea level up to about 750 m. It has two distinct forma. The juvenile form, which lasts for between 15 and 20 years, and the adult form. In the juvenile form, the leaves are stiff and leathery with a prominent central rib, toothed, about 1 cm wide and up to 1 m long. The juvenile leaves hang downwards from a central stem. The young trunk has characteristic vertical swollen ridges. As the tree gets older the stem begins to branch producing a bushy top, and the leaves become wider and shorter, losing their teeth (see picture above). When the tree is mature it adopts a conical tree shape. A study of leaf colour development in P. crassifolius found that leaves of seedlings would blend with leaf litter, while juvenile leaf colouration would draw attention to their spines. A closely related Chatham Island species did not display these changes.
Closely related is Pseudopanax ferox, the toothed lancewood. It is similar to P. crassifolius except the leaves are more abundant and severely toothed, resembling a saw blade
Closely related is Pseudopanax ferox, the toothed lancewood. It is similar to P. crassifolius except the leaves are more abundant and severely toothed, resembling a saw blade
Pseudopanax ferox: Toothed Lancewood - Fierce Lancewood - Horoeka (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Pseudopanax ferox: Common Name - Toothed lancewood or horoeka. A small tree native to New Zealand. It is similar to the more common Lancewood (P. crassifolius), but with more prominently tooth-shaped leaves. The juvenile leaves are dark grey-brown to grey-green colour, narrow, stiff and up to 40 cm long. Young trees are slow growing. On reaching maturity at 10 to 15 years, the leaf form becomes shorter, wider and dark green in colour. As with P. crassifolius, once in adulthood the tree's shape changes from one central stem and downward growing leaves to a more typical tree shape with branches spreading to build a round head. A mature toothed lancewood can reach 6 metres height with a trunk of up to 25 cm in diameter. The mature trunk has distinctive longitudinal grooves which sometimes twist slightly.The tree is sometimes also called fierce lancewood in reference to its fierce looking saw tooth shaped juvenile leaves.
RHOPALOSTYLIS.
Rhopalostylis sapida - Nikau Palm
BOTANICAL NAME: Rhopalostylis sapida. Common name Nikau Palm, the Maori name for the tree. A palm tree endemic to New Zealand, and the only palm native New Zealand palm tree. The Nikau palm's natural range is coastal and lowland forest on the North Island, and on the South Island as far south as Okarito in the west and Banks Peninsula in the east. It also occurs on Chatham Island and Pitt Island/Rangiauria to the south-east of New Zealand, where it is the world's southernmost palm. A very tidy palm in form, the Nikau grows up to 15 m tall, with a stout green trunk which bears grey-green leaf scars. The trunk is topped by a smooth compact frond formation. The fronds are up to 3m. The inflorescence (see picture) is a multi-branched spike from 200 to 400 mm long. The tightly
packed flowers are unisexual and coloured lilac to pink. The Nikau produces flowers between November and April, and fruits ripen from February to November, taking almost a year to fully ripen. These are a preferred food of the Kererū, the native wood pigeon. Nowadays the Nikau is widely used in landscaping, particularly in Northland, and youn Nikau palms can be seen planted around buildings in Whangarei.
packed flowers are unisexual and coloured lilac to pink. The Nikau produces flowers between November and April, and fruits ripen from February to November, taking almost a year to fully ripen. These are a preferred food of the Kererū, the native wood pigeon. Nowadays the Nikau is widely used in landscaping, particularly in Northland, and youn Nikau palms can be seen planted around buildings in Whangarei.
SCHEFFLERA
Schefflera digitata- Patate - Patete - Pate
BOTANICAL NAME: Schefflera digitata. Common Name, Seven-finger. Maori names Patate, Patete and Pate. A tree endemic to New Zealand belonging to the Araliaceae family. It occurs in
lowland forests from sea level to 1200 m in the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island, from
34°S to 47°S. It prefers damp, shady parts of the forest and is common along stream banks and on shady forest roadsides. S. digitata is the only New Zealand member of the genus Schefflera which has 200 species of shrubs and small trees in the tropics and subtropics. Most common Maori name is Pate. It is a small, spreading tree up to 8 m high with stout branches. The leaves may have from three to nine leaflets. The leaflets are thin and soft to the touch with sharply serrated margins. In the north of the North Island, S. digitata has a juvenile stage in which the leaflets are divided into
irregular toothed lobes. The flower head is a large, multi-branched panicle (see left) up to 35 cm across, with umbels of small greenish flowers arising at irregular intervals along its length. Each umbel contains up to ten flowers each about 7 mm in diameter. The dark violet fruits are fleshy, round, and grooved when dry. They are about 3.5 mm in diameter and take two or three months to ripen. Photographs were taken in the Whangarei Sub-tropical Gardens.
lowland forests from sea level to 1200 m in the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island, from
34°S to 47°S. It prefers damp, shady parts of the forest and is common along stream banks and on shady forest roadsides. S. digitata is the only New Zealand member of the genus Schefflera which has 200 species of shrubs and small trees in the tropics and subtropics. Most common Maori name is Pate. It is a small, spreading tree up to 8 m high with stout branches. The leaves may have from three to nine leaflets. The leaflets are thin and soft to the touch with sharply serrated margins. In the north of the North Island, S. digitata has a juvenile stage in which the leaflets are divided into
irregular toothed lobes. The flower head is a large, multi-branched panicle (see left) up to 35 cm across, with umbels of small greenish flowers arising at irregular intervals along its length. Each umbel contains up to ten flowers each about 7 mm in diameter. The dark violet fruits are fleshy, round, and grooved when dry. They are about 3.5 mm in diameter and take two or three months to ripen. Photographs were taken in the Whangarei Sub-tropical Gardens.
SOPHORA.
Sophora tetraptera : New Zealand Kowhai.
BOTANICAL NAME - Sophora tetraptera : Brilliant yellow flowers appear in spring followed by seed pods resembling chains of green pearls. A small tree. Most species of kōwhai grow to around 8 m high and have fairly smooth bark and small leaves, but two species are cultivated in ornamental horticulture and grow in Whangarei - S. microphylla has smaller leaves (5–7 mm long by 3–4 mm wide) and flowers (2.5-3.5 cm long) than S. tetraptera which has leaves of 1–2 cm long and flowers that are 3 cm-5 cm long. The very distinctive, almost segmented pods, which appear after flowering
each contain six or more smooth, hard, yellow seeds (see photo left). These seeds can be very
numerous and the presence of many hundreds of these distinctively yellow seeds on the ground quickly identifies the presence of a nearby kōwhai tree. Seeds need to be chipped prior to sowing, to aid germination.
each contain six or more smooth, hard, yellow seeds (see photo left). These seeds can be very
numerous and the presence of many hundreds of these distinctively yellow seeds on the ground quickly identifies the presence of a nearby kōwhai tree. Seeds need to be chipped prior to sowing, to aid germination.
Sophora microphylla: Kowhai.
BOTANICAL NAME: Sophora microphylla: Common name kowhai. A species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to Chile and New Zealand. Other common names include weeping kōwhai and small-leaved kōwhai. It is also referred to as South Island Kowhai although this name is misleading since it is widely distributed all over New Zealand including the North Island, though less common in Northland. Growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall and broad, it is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Each leaf is 10 cm (4 in) long with up to 40 pairs of shiny oval leaflets. In early spring it produces many racemes of pea-like yellow flowers. The name microphylla means small-leaved.
When young S. microphylla has a bushy growth habit with many interlacing branches, which begins to disappear as the tree ages. It is a common kowhai tree bearing leaves that have spaced equal-sized leaflets 4.5-12.5mm long and with bunches of drooping yellow flowers and dry ridged and knobbly seed pods 50-200mm long containing hard yellow seeds. It begins in a Juvenile form with zig-zagging branches.
When young S. microphylla has a bushy growth habit with many interlacing branches, which begins to disappear as the tree ages. It is a common kowhai tree bearing leaves that have spaced equal-sized leaflets 4.5-12.5mm long and with bunches of drooping yellow flowers and dry ridged and knobbly seed pods 50-200mm long containing hard yellow seeds. It begins in a Juvenile form with zig-zagging branches.
Sophora prostrata: Prostrate Kowhai - Dwarf Kowhai.
BOTANICAL NAME: Sophora prostrata is commonly known as kōwhai, prostrate kōwhai or dwarf kōwhai and grows naturally in the eastern South Island from Marlborough to the Waitaki Valley in New Zealand. A prostrate to bush shrub up to 2 metres tall, with densely divaricating branches, leaves up to 2-5cm long with up to 8 pairs of leaflets to 4cm long. Flowers are solitary or paired or grouped in threes, orange to brownish yellow, rarely bright yellow. Found in grassland or rocky places, lowland to montane bush in the South Island. Photographs taken in Laurie Hall Park, behind the waterfall, Whangarei, NZ.
VITEX.
Vitex lucens - Puriri (Maori)
BOTANICAL NAME : Vitex lucens. The common name is the Maori name Puriri. It is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand. The genus Vitex has recently been reassigned to the family Lamiaceae.
Puriri was first collected at Tolaga Bay by Banks and Solander during Cook's first visit in 1769. The plant was excellently described by Solander in his manuscript, and was later collected by Allan Cunningham in 1826 when he observed it on the shores of the Bay Of Islands, frequently growing in salt water. It was Cunningham who assigned it to the Vitex genus but naming it V.littoralis.
The Puriri tree can grow up to 20 m tall, with a trunk commonly up to 1.5 m in diameter. Puriri
was actively and selectively logged to provided timber for a wide range of end uses. The dark green glossy leaves of puriri are palmate or palm shaped, usually with five leaflets, but sometimes three. The lowest two leaflets are smaller than the other three.e Bay of Islands, frequently growing in salt water. Northland is part of its natural habitat. Pictures show one of the street trees in Manse Street, Regent, Whangarei. Picture left shows berries on a tree in the Waiarohia Reserve. Berries are eaten by Kereru.
Puriri was first collected at Tolaga Bay by Banks and Solander during Cook's first visit in 1769. The plant was excellently described by Solander in his manuscript, and was later collected by Allan Cunningham in 1826 when he observed it on the shores of the Bay Of Islands, frequently growing in salt water. It was Cunningham who assigned it to the Vitex genus but naming it V.littoralis.
The Puriri tree can grow up to 20 m tall, with a trunk commonly up to 1.5 m in diameter. Puriri
was actively and selectively logged to provided timber for a wide range of end uses. The dark green glossy leaves of puriri are palmate or palm shaped, usually with five leaflets, but sometimes three. The lowest two leaflets are smaller than the other three.e Bay of Islands, frequently growing in salt water. Northland is part of its natural habitat. Pictures show one of the street trees in Manse Street, Regent, Whangarei. Picture left shows berries on a tree in the Waiarohia Reserve. Berries are eaten by Kereru.