Streblus heterophyllus < Species index > Tecomanthe speciosa
This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 95, # 9, October 2023
October in the hills with Michele Dickson, Chris Horne
Syzygium maire, maire tawake, waiwaka, Swamp maire
Photo: Peter J de Lange
Origin of the botanical names
‘Syzygium’ means ‘yoked together, with flower parts fused’, derived from the Greek words ‘syn’ for ‘together’ and ‘zygon’ for ‘a yoke for plough, oxen’; ’maire’ is the Māori name of the tree. Maire belongs to the family Myrtaceae which also includes mānuka, rātā, pōhutukawa, and other closely related species in Aotearoa/New Zealand, all at risk from myrtle rust disease. It has previously been described as Eugenia maire.
Distribution and habitat
Maire tawake is endemic to this country. It grows in lowland forest, water-logged ground, margins of swamps and stream-sides on Te Ika a Māui / North Island and on Te Waipounamu / South Island as far south as northern Marlborough. It is now nationally threatened since the clearance of swamp forests.
Growth habit
Maire tawake is a tree up to 16 m tall with a trunk up to 60 cm diameter. It has a somewhat flaky, pale bark. Trunks may be divided into more than one. In wet places, knees and erect aerial breathing roots called pneumatophores emerge above the water. Branches are spreading and produce spreading 4-angled branchlets. The leaves are opposite, 15-60 × 10-25 mm, slightly leathery, yellow-green and glossy above, often with little blisters and a paler green underside with the midrib raised. The leaf edges are slightly wavy and smooth.
Reproduction
Flowers are 5-30 in clusters up to 100 mm in diameter, each flower with numerous 5-18 mm long, white stamens. The fruit are sub-globose, crimson-red and berry-like, 10-15 mm in diameter, resembling some gum-nut capsules. Each fruit contains a single, hard seed/stone. Flowering is usually in summer with the berries ripening in autumn and winter.
Uses
Maire tawake wood, bark, young twigs and flowers have been used to produce black and blue dyes. The hard wood was used for implements and weapons. The inner bark has been used to treat ringworm.
Where can you find maire tawake?
Look for it in Zealandia, Moana Rd route - Days Bay, Manawa Karioi (rare), Horoeka Street Scenic Reserve – Stokes Valley, Brookfield Wildlife Refuge and Outdoor Education Centre - Wainuiomata, Tāne’s Track - Tunnel Gully, Wi Tako Scenic Reserve - Silverstream, Pākuratahi Forest, Fendalton Reserve and Lowe’s Bush - Wairarapa, Devil’s Elbow - Reikorangi, Whareroa Farm, Ngā Manu Nature Reserve - Waikanae, and in the Akatarawa, Tararua and Remutaka ranges.
In The Hills 2023-09 < Index chronological > In The Hills 2023-11