Story: Tall broadleaf trees

Taraire leaves and berries

Taraire leaves and berries

The large, bumpy leaves of taraire (Beilschmiedia tarairi), one of northern New Zealand’s forest trees, are quite unlike those of any other native plant. They are covered in reddish-brown hairs when young, but lose most of this as they mature. Older leaves are shiny dark green above and dull blue-green below, with red-brown hairs along the underside veins. Taraire’s olive-shaped purple fruits are held upright near the tips of its branches. The fruits ripen in winter, and are eaten by kererū (native pigeons), which distribute the seed.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10060281
Photograph by Astrid van Meeuwen-Dijkgraaf

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Tall broadleaf trees - Trees of fertile lowlands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13728/taraire-leaves-and-berries (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 24 Sep 2007