Kōrero: Tall broadleaf trees

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.