taraire
about.
Beilschmiedia tarairi | taraire
Cherished for its plentiful, purple fruits taraire features fine, dark green foliage and produces small summer flowers, followed by large, bluish oval fruit that attracts Kererū. This tree thrives in rich, well-drained soil and tolerates some dryness once established, offering excellent shade. Young leaves have a reddish-brown covering that disappears with age. Its smooth, brown trunk and lush foliage make it suitable as a specimen tree or for mixed plantings, particularly to encourage birdlife.
typical habitat.
lowland forest
lower montane forest
drainage.
moist
free draining
sun.
full sun
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 20m
width | 7m / 1m (trunk)
pollinators calendar.
flowering | (September-) November (-December)
fruiting | March - November
did you know?
Māori utilised the Taraire's large, plum-like fruits as food, preparing the kernels by steaming them in a hangi for two days. The tree's wood, though light and workable due to its close grain, is not particularly durable.