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Story: Tall broadleaf trees

Pukatea buttresses and leaves

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Pukatea buttresses and leaves

A distinctive feature of pukatea (Laurelia novae-zelandiae) is its plank buttresses. These narrow growths – common among tropical trees – spread out from the bottom of its trunk and provide support for the tree in swampy ground. Pukatea has dark green, toothed leaves, arranged in opposite pairs on angled twigs.

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by Maggy Wassilieff; Jeremy Rolfe (inset)

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Tall broadleaf trees – Forest giants, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13739/pukatea-buttresses-and-leaves (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 1 March 2009.