mangeao

Litsea calicaris | mangeao, tangeao

 

A slow-growing yet sturdy and attractive upright tree with a spreading crown, reaching up to 18 meters in height once established. While difficult to grow, it rewards with slightly reddish-toned foliage and bright red, juicy fruit that tūī adore. It thrives best on good quality, well-drained soils, particularly limestone-derived soils or heavy clays, and has low drought tolerance. Young trees are very frost-tender. In spring, it produces small clusters of fragrant yellowish flowers, followed a year later by the deep red fruit that attracts birds. This dioecious tree yields tough, high-quality medium-density hardwood and was used medicinally by both Māori and early settlers.