puka
Also known as: pukanui
A tender evergreen tree, fast growing, up to around 5m high in cultivation. Leaves are bright green, leathery and glossy with wavy edges and pale undersides, and can be up to 50cm long, often clustered at the ends of the branches forming a rounded crown. Produces large panicles of small, pale whitish-green flowers, followed by small green berries that ripen to black
Scientific classification
- Species
- puka (Meryta sinclairii)
- Genus
- Meryta
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Trees
- Plant type
- 4-8 metres
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- Evergreen
- Foliage
- Columnar upright · Bushy
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
- Season of interest
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
puka pictures
Distribution of puka
Distribution map
New Zealand
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Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of puka
Information to be completed
puka care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningNo pruning required
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown as soon as ripe. Plants may self-seed in place
Growing
GrowingSuitable for only the warmest regions of the UK, where it will thrive in humus-rich, free draining soil and will tolerate wind, salt and some drought once established. Needs to be kept frost-free to survive over winter
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to phytophthora and verticillium wilt
Pests
Generally pest-free, though young plants may be susceptible to damage by rodents
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