Puriri is a large tree with dark green wrinled leaves. It has pink flowers and spherical fruit, both of which are food for native and introduced birds.
It grows naturally in the north half of the North Island in a range of habitats, but can be established elsewhere also.
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Description
Puriri is unusual for having large and colourful flowers and fruit. These are frequently both present for long periods of time.
The tree is pollinated by birds and its seeds are dispersed by birds, making it a valuable tree.
Puriri can become very old and very large, but when young it grows quite quickly.
Seed Collection
Gather ripe fruit from beneath trees, or pick ripe fruit from the trees. Fruit that have turned black are OK. Seeds that have dried out are probably not viable, but seeds on the ground that have remained damp probably are.
Soak seeds for a day to soften the flesh then scrape off the flesh, revealing a hard woody core. This contains up to four seeds, and anything from zero to four plants can germinate.
Germination
Press the fruits or seeds into a firm flat bed of seed raising mix and only lightly cover with either more mix or fine pumice. Seed sown in late summer generally germinates the following spring.
Growing On
Prick out the seedlings when they have about four real leaves. Place into a small pot, bag or tube with a potting mix that contains compost. A PB3/4 bag is a good choice.
As the seedling grows, transfer to a larger pots or bag. A PB3 bag is a good choice.
Planting
Thrives in rich soil that is moist, yet free draining – dislikes wet feet. Plant in full sun to part shade. Frost tender when young.
Young trees can be frost tender and should not be planted outside their natural range.
Puriri seedlings are shade-tolerant, so the species is capable of regenerating beneath existing tall forest (in the wild), and other shaded places.
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