Laurelia novae-zelandiae

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Laurelia novae-zelandiae
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Laurales Family: Atherospermataceae Genus: Laurelia Species: L. novae-zelandiae
Binomial name
Laurelia novae-zelandiae

Laurelia novae-zelandiae (also called Pukatea) is a large evergreen tree, endemic to the forests of New Zealand.

[edit] Distribution

Pukatea grows throughout the North Island of New Zealand, and the northern third of the South Island. It often grows in damp low-land forests, especially gullies.

[edit] Description

Pukatea can grow to a height of 40 m and is the only New Zealand native tree developing large plank-buttresses. Its dark green, elliptic leaves are 5-7 cm long and coarsely toothed.

Hutt River viewed from flume bridge, Kaitoke Park, Upper Hutt, surrounded by native bush with pukatea

Native bush with mature pukatea trees in Kaitoke Park, Upper Hutt

[edit] Uses

Historically, the light, but tough timber of pukatea has been used for boat building.

[edit] External reference

• Te ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Search on Pukatea

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