Transcript Native Trees

This PowerPoint contains information
on four New Zealand native trees.
Akeake
KEY FACTS
The Akeake tree grows up to 4 metres tall. It can grow up to 1
metre in a year. In about 3 years time, it blooms flowers and has
seeds. It prefers loose soil and can withstand salt spray. Its seeds
are hard.
BACKGROUND HISTORY
It was discovered in the 1890’s in Wairua River. The original
Akeake trees of Wairua River no longer survive because they
were washed away in a flood.
The female seeds fall out of
their seedpods in February.
USES IN THE REAL WORLD
The seed pods are used for special
purposes. Since its wood is dense
and strong, Maori used it to make
weapons. Akeake is easily planted
with its seed, which can be found
at the end of summer.
Horoeka/Lancewood
The young trees have no branches and are as straight as a
horsemen's spare. However, the young leaves change
completely when they grow. The centre strip of the young
leaves are used as bootlaces. The young leaves are narrow
and are over a metre in length! The birds love to eat the
fruits on the tree. When the trees are mature the leaves are
shorter. There are three species
of lancewood. It is a common
plant throughout New Zealand.
Plants are either male or
female just like us humans!
Puriri
The Puriri tree was first found in 1769. It
can grow up to 20 meters tall and its
Trunk’s circumference can grow up to 15m.
Puriri is one of the few native trees with
large colourful flowers. Puriri flowers
look like snapdragon flowers. The flower
has two petals. Some flowers can be
found on the Puriri all year round! The tree is found in the North
Cape. Puriri-rich areas were burned for farmland. It provides food
for wildlife and makes fruit and nectar. It also provides a yearround supply of food for birds. Puriri is a New Zealand tree that
has dense wood, which can make furniture and ships for the wood
is quite tough. The tree produces flowers and fruit almost every
year. Its bright red berries are loved by birds. The Puriri trees have
finger-sized holes where fat caterpillars have made homes. The
Maori used the Puriri for weaving.
Taraire
This tree grows up to 22 meters and has a very
big top section. The bark is dark brown and
smooth. The branches tend to spread very wide.
The dark green leaves grow up to 3.4-3.8cm
wide. Its leaf stems are approximately 1cm long.
The fruit of the Taraire tree is a favourite to the
NZ pigeon. The purple fruit is covered in a waxy
bloom. Every berry contains 1 seed. The fruit
ripens between March and November. The
Taraire only occurs in the North Island and it is
also most common to the north of Auckland.
The wood of the Taraire is used for flooring,
furniture, picture frames and firewood. The
large cooked seeds were eaten by early Maori
and when they were roasted, they tasted like
potato.
Group Members
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