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NZ Plants

Coriaria arborea - tutu, tree tutu

Family: Coriariaceae

Coriaria arborea is a many-branched shrub to small tree distinguished by its square stems and two rows of glossy green leaves with no leaf stalks (petioles) so that the blade is joined directly to the stem. Small wind-pollinated flowers are aggregated onto special drooping terminal branches and form attractive deep purple berries. Found in open forest and stream sides, the margins of roads and cliffs throughout the country. Coriaria is the only genus in the family with about 30 species distributed from the Mediterranean, South and Central America and Asia.
There are seven species of Coriaria in New Zealand, all of which are endemic. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
 

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: shrub up to 6 m

Arrangement of parts: symmetrical
 

Flower size: 3-5 mm diam.

Leaf form: undivided, ovate to oblong

Sepals: 5

Leaf size: 5-8 cm

Petals: 5, green

Leaf arrangement: opposite pairs or in whorls along the stem

Sexuality: bisexual

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 10

Leaf margin: smooth

Ovary: above petals

Surface: fine hairs on undersurface

Fruit: dry, surrounded by fleshy petals

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: shrub up to 6 m

Arrangement of parts: symmetrical

 

Flower size: 3-5 mm diam.

Leaf form: undivided, ovate to oblong

Sepals: 5

Leaf size: 5-8 cm

Petals: 5, green

Leaf arrangement: opposite pairs or in whorls along the stem

Sexuality: bisexual

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 10

Leaf margin: smooth

Ovary: above petals

Surface: fine hairs on undersurface

Fruit: fleshy

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: shrub up to 6 m

Arrangement of parts: symmetrical

 

Flower size: 3-5 mm diam.

Leaf form: undivided, ovate to oblong

Sepals: 5

Leaf size: 5-8 cm

Petals: 5, green

Leaf arrangement: opposite pairs or in whorls along the stem

Sexuality: bisexual

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 10

Leaf margin:: smooth

Ovary: above petals

Surface: fine hairs on undersurface

Fruit: fleshy

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