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NZ Plants

Pisonia brunnoniana - parapara, birdcatcher tree

Four o’clock family: Nyctaginaceae

Pisonia brunoniana is a large, many branched bush with soft,  oval glossy dark green leaves. The small flowers develop into fruits with a sticky secretion that traps insects and small birds. Found in coastal areas in the upper half of the North Island, northern off shore islands, Norfolk Island and Australia. An additional 20 species are found in Norfolk Island, Lord Howe island and Hawaii. Named after the Dutch naturalist Willem Piso (1611-1678).
Formerly known as Heimerliodendron brunonianum.

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: shrub up to 10 m

Arrangement of parts: symmetric

Leaf form: undivided, oval to oblong

Flower size: 5-8 mm diam.

Leaf size: 10-40 cm

Tepals (sepals indistinguishable from petals): 5

Leaf arrangement: opposite pairs on the stem

Sexuality: bisexual

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 6-8

Leaf margin: smooth

Ovary: superior

Leaf surface: hairless

Fruit: fleshy, sticky


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