03 Backyard Planting Programme Conservation Volunteers NZ Pūriri (Vitex lucens) Pūriri is a large, long-lived tree with some of the Size biggest flowers of any New Zealand tree and aided 20m tall in pollination by our birds. Large, pink flowers followed by marble sized, bright Distribution & Habitat red fruits drape the tree for most of the year. The Found from the North Cape to Waikato. You will fruiting period normally commences early winter usually see them in paddocks where they have and extends into mid-spring. been left to shade cattle. Occurs mostly in coastal and lowland forests. Fast growing tree Pūriri have the incredible ability to resprout and that will do well in most habitats. continue growing from where they have fallen over or supposedly senesced (died). Species it attracts You will see this beautiful gnarled tree studded Fruits are loved by Kererū, who are the only with the Pepetuna (Pūriri moth) burrows that are birds able to swallow the berries whole and predated on by Ruru (Morepork). With both species distribute them. Flowers also provide nectar being nocturnal you may need a torch to see for Tūī, Korimako (Bellbird), Tauhou (Silvereye). this hive of activity. Medicinal Properties Pūriri, being a hardwood with little buoyancy, was used in the construction of hīnaki (eel pots) along Leaves are boiled down to treat back ache. with many a fence post still in the ground today. Where to plant in your garden: Pūriri is a large tree with a wide root system so is best suited Pepe-tuna nunui Large pepe-tuna (pūriri moth) to large gardens. Seedlings and saplings are A green apparition Kēhua kākāriki frost tender and require a sheltered, warm, Wairua rere o te pō Flying spirit of the night semi-shaded site but are tolerant of a range Pepe-tuna nunui Large Pepe-tuna of conditions once established. Kēhua kākāriki A green apparition rere runga puriri e. Flying on to a pūriri tree. Sponsored by.