tāpia

Tupeia antarctica | tāpia, pirita, white mistletoe, tupia, kohuorangi

 

A small, semi-parasitic shrub recognised by its hairy stems and leaf stalks supporting bright green leaves. When attached to its host, it forms a large, noticeable gall. This intriguing plant's leaves vary significantly in size and shape, sometimes being deciduous, and it connects to a wide array of host plants as a partial parasite.

Forest or scrub (often in regenerating vegetation), where it is parasitic on a wide range of hosts including lemonwood/tarata, karo, Coprosma species, putaputawētā, five-finger, white maire and native broom.

well drained

full sun

partial shade

height | 1m

width | 1m

flowering |  October - December

fruiting |  December - March

The primary threat to this species is possum browse, though it also faces dangers from insect damage, habitat loss, a decline in native pollinating and seed-dispersing birds, collectors, vandalism, and fungal disease. Currently, its conservation status is At Risk – Declining.