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Story: Shrubs and small trees of the forest

Māpou

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Māpou

Māpou (Myrsine australis), also known as matipo, is found throughout New Zealand as an understorey tree in lowland and upland forest. It is a hardy plant and can grow in the canopy of second-growth scrub. Māpou is easily recognised by its light green wavy leaves and red branches.

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How to cite this page

Joanna Orwin, Shrubs and small trees of the forest – Lookalike subcanopy trees, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13801/mapou (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Joanna Orwin, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 July 2015.