Species

Coriaria arborea var. kermadecensis

Etymology

Coriaria: From the Latin corium 'hide', possibly from the use of some species for tanning leather
arborea: From the Latin arbor 'tree', meaning tree-like
kermadecensis: From the Kermadec Islands

Common Name(s)

Kermadec tutu

Current Conservation Status

2012 - At Risk - Naturally Uncommon

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2009 - At Risk - Naturally Uncommon
2004 - Range Restricted

Qualifiers

2012 - IE, OL
2009 - IE

Authority

Coriaria arborea var. kermadecensis W.R.B.Oliv.

Family

Coriariaceae

Brief Description

Common robust much branched large shrub inhabiting disturbed areas on the Kermadec Islands. Twigs square in cross-section, bearing pairs of 45-55mm long glossy green oval leaves that do not have a leaf stalk. Flowers in drooping spikes up to 15cm long.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

CORAVK

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Synonyms

None

Distribution

Endemic. Kermadec Island group, Raoul Island only

Habitat

Widespread in open seral habitats and disturbed ground.

Flowering

Throughout the year

Fruiting

Throughout the year

Propagation Technique

Easily grown fresh fresh seed and suckers. Fast growing but cold sensitive. Plants are a much lighter green than C. arborea R.Linds. var. arborea.

Threats

Not Threatened. Listed because it is a narrow range endemic abundant within its only known habitat.

Chromosome No.

2n = 40

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No


Where To Buy
Can be purchased from Oratia Native Plant Nurseries (info@oratianatives.co.nz).

Cultural Use/Importance
Very doubtfully distinct from C. arborea var. arborea - plants sourced from Raoul Island held in cultivation in New Zealand are virtually indistinguishable from var. arborea (they have a lighter green coloured leaf).

Poisonous plant:
All Coriaria species are poisonous especially the seed inside the black berries. Click on this link for more information about Poisonous native plants.


 

This page last updated on 2 Mar 2011