tawāpou

Planchonella costata | tawāpou

 

A hardy, attractive evergreen native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island, ideal for coastal settings. This tree starts with an upright form, maturing into an open, spreading habit featuring distinctive, glossy, leathery dark green leaves. Small green flowers appear in summer, leading to large, date-sized fruits that ripen from red to purple-black from early summer to mid-winter, making them a favorite for birds. Tawāpou is commonly used in revegetation, large gardens as a specimen, in avenue plantings, or in coastal designs, it can also be used as a hedge - although this spoils its attractive typical form.

coastal forest

well drained

free draining

full sun

partial shade

height | 18m

width | 3m / 1m (trunk)

flowering | September - November

fruiting | December - June

Traditionally, Māori skillfully strung the polished seeds of this tree into necklaces. These beads are known to produce a satisfying "rattle" sound, much like "worry-beads" on a rosary.