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NZ Plants


Laurelia novae-zelandiae - pukatea

family: Atherospermataceae

Laurelia novae-zelandiae is a tall tree with large narrow buttresses at the base of older specimens. Trees have attractive leathery and  glossy leaves with toothed margins. A genus consisting of two species, one in New Zealand and the other in Chile. Formerly placed in the Monimiaceae.

An endemic  species found in damp, sheltered lowland forest of the North Island and northern portion of the South Island.

More on pukatea: Takana Newsletter

 

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: tree up to 35 m

Arrangement of parts: symmetric

Flower size:

Flower size: 4-7 mm diam.

Leaf form: undivided, elliptic-oval

Tepals (sepals indistinguishable from petals): 5-12, green

Leaf size: 4-8 cm

 

Leaf arrangement: opposite pairs on the stem

Sexuality: unisexual on different plants or bisexual

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 6-12

Leaf margin: toothed

Ovary: below petals

Leaf surface: sparse hairs

Fruit: dry