Geniostoma ligustrifolium var. ligustrifolium < Species index > Griselinia lucida
This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, # 7, August 2022
August in the hills with Michele Dickson, Chris Horne
Griselinia littoralis, Kāpuka, Pāpāuma, broadleaf
Origin of the botanical names
'Griselinia' is derived from the name of Francesco Griselini (1717-1783), a natural historian in Venice; 'littoralis' is derived from the Latin word 'littus', meaning sea-shore. It is a member of the Griseliniaceae family. The species has several te reo Māori names.
Distribution and habitat
Kāpuka / broadleaf is endemic to Aotearoa. It is found in lowland to montane forest and lower subalpine scrub from Hokianga Harbour southwards to Rakiura / Stewart Island. It is more common on Te Waipounamu / South Island than on Te Ika a Maui / North Island. It also grows on Raoul Island / Rangitahua.
Growth habit
Kāpuka is a tree 10 m – 17 m tall. The short, gnarled trunk with rough bark is up to 1.5 m in diameter. It sometimes grows as an epiphyte perching on other trees. The leathery leaves, 5-10 x 2-5 cm, shiny on top and paler underneath with a pale yellow mid-rib, are more or less symmetrical. The broad bases of the glossy, egg-shaped leaves are attached to the branchlets by their petioles / stalks.
Reproduction
Broadleaf has female and male flowers on separate plants. It flowers from November to January, then fruits from January to August. The groups of small green flowers, 2-7.5 cm long, may be branched or unbranched. The flowers are ca. 5 mm wide. The fleshy fruit, ca. 6 x 4 mm contains one seed which is black when ripe.
Uses
In early times, Māori used the inner bark to treat skin rashes. In 1918 it was reported that a blend of the leaves of kāpuka and other trees was used to attempt to cure ‘rutu’, an internal complaint which began in the lower abdomen. Wool can be dyed with extract from the bark. The wood has been used for house piles, railway sleepers, fence posts and boat building. The ripe berries can be eaten but are bitter.
Broadleaf is planted along track edges by some local authorities to help to deter weed species by shading. As a specimen tree It is popular here and overseas, e.g. in Ireland.
Pest animals
Deer, goats, possums and pigs browse broadleaf, inhibiting its growth.
Where can you find kāpuka / broadleaf?
Look for it in Ōtari-Wilton's Bush, Johnston Hill Scenic Reserve, Lower Hutt's Hayward Scenic Reserve, Belmont Regional Park and in the Remutaka, Aorangi, Akatarawa and Tararua ranges.
In The Hills 2022-07 < Index chronological > In The Hills 2022-09