The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

We have a large female Streblus tree purchased from the late lamented Oratia Native Plant Nursery. On a visit to our place a few years back, nursery owner Geoff Davidson noticed the size of the leaves of this tree (quite a few years after we planted it) and wondered if it might in fact be a cross between Streblus banksii and smithii. The leaves are certainly big for banksii, but on the other hand its upright form is surely characteristic; smithii seems not to grow as big as this has (see photo of the tree and also a close-up of the leaves). The particular concern is that there is a large male banksii nearby (no doubt about the identification of this one), and the female has fruited well for a number of years and has naturalized around the property. The way the fruits are held also seems to fit banksii rather than smithii. Would appreciate comment.

Now that I see this - this is not Streblus banksii x S. smithii - which is a very uncommon hybrid but I have seen a few examples of it. A notable one made by the late Dr Ross Beever still survives at the Mt Albert Research Centre - it has very large leaves with a very sharp tip and a semi-erect, pendent branches. Your image fits well within the range of what we accept as Streblus banksii - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/2569435, https://inaturalist.nz/observations/4662364 (my garden) and https://inaturalist.nz/observations/6119255 and https://inaturalist.nz/observations/6029813 from Kapiti Island - these are typical S. banksii.

Thanks again, Peter, this is a great relief, especially given the many youngsters that have been popping up in the vicinity. They can be spared!