māmāngi

Coprosma arborea | māmāngi, tree coprosma

 

This small, bushy tree, māmāngi typically grows up to 12m tall and 4m wide. Primarily found in the lush upper North Island, it often dominates the mid-canopy, particularly in areas of cut-over forest where taller old-growth trees were felled. It's also a major component of the sub-canopy in kauri forests. Māmāngi is characterised by distinct pairs of small, roundish, thin, mottled leaves with a tiny pit at the vein junction. These olive-colored leaves can develop yellow tones in winter, and each pair is accompanied by a unique long-tipped scale between the leaf stems. This tree is a popular choice for woodland gardens, mixed plantings, or as a backdrop for other shrubs.