toatoa
Phyllocladus toatoa | toatoa
An attractive, slow-growing tree with distinctive whorled branches and broad foliage, often displaying a bronzy tint on its large phylloclades. Forming a small, tapering tree typically reaching 8 to 14 meters tall it establishes slowly (around 2 meters in 10 years) but tolerates poor, waterlogged soils on exposed ridges and bog edges. While it favours free-draining, moist soil and cool roots, it flourishes in full sun.
typical habitat.
lowland forest
montane forest
bog margin
drainage.
free draining
well drained
moist
sun.
full sun
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 20m
width | 3m / 90cm (trunk)
pollinators calendar.
flowering | October–December
fruiting | January–March
did you know?
This genus of striking trees, Phyllocladus, possesses a unique trait that gives it its name: instead of true leaves, these plants have phylloclades (or cladodes), which are flattened stems that carry out photosynthesis.