Griselinia littoralis
(Kapuka, Broadleaf)

Griselinia littoralis
(Kapuka, Broadleaf)

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Prices:

  Each 20 or more
2.5L Pot $9.50 $9.00

Details:

Type: Tree
Growth Rate: Medium
Mature Height: 4 m
Mature Width: 3 m
Site Condition: Coastal, Exposed, Frost Tolerant, Heavy Soil, Loamy Soil, Sandy Soil, Waterways
Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Drainage: Dry, Moist
Frosts: Hardy
Features: Drought tolerant. Suitable for hedging or shelter. Attractive to birds, insects and bees. Rongoa. Low Flammability. Flower colour: Yellow. Foliage colour: Green. Fruit colour: Purple. Native. Suitable restoration species.

Griselinia littoralis, Kapuka or Broadleaf, is a very hardy evergreen tree. With regular trimming it makes a popular and effective hedging shrub. Grows in a range of soil types but prefers well-drained soil in full sun. Can tolerate frost and wind. It is useful in coastal situations (littoralis means shore growing) as it will tolerate frost, rough winds and salt spray. It is also a good upper bank plant for riparian plantings.

The oval leaves are leathery glossy and lush bright green. This plant produces small cream insignificant flowers that attract native pollinators. The tiny green and yellow flowers are also a good source of pollen for bees in the spring. In autumn the female trees have small purple-black fruit which tui eat.

History of use: It was an opening medicine and the inner bark was used on scrofula (a tuberculous infection of the skin on the neck). The timber was known for its durability.

Habitat: Found in lowland forests to subalpine scrub.

Flowering: Summer [November - January]
Fruiting:    Autumn - Winter [February - August]

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