Endemic to Aotearoa NZ - North & top of South Island. Tall slow growing tree with a fluted base, reddish twigs, bushy foliage and glossy oval dark green toothed leaves, 4-8mm long, which grows in wet areas. Flowers, small greenish white. Fruit dry, covered in long hairs.
Seedlings prefer full or partial shade,but trees will happily grow in sun as long as their roots have some shade and plenty of moisture. Grows to 35m in wet conditions; trunk has pale bark and reaches 2m in diameter, with plank-buttresses at base. Flowers from Oct–Dec and fruits (Oct–Jan) provide a food source for native birds. Seeds are wind dispersed.
