Griselinia littoralis

Griselinia littoralis, commonly known as kapuka, New Zealand broadleaf or pāpāuma, is a fast-growing small to medium-sized evergreen tree that is native to New Zealand.

Description

A tree or shrub. It grows to 6-12 m high. It spreads 4.5 m wide. The leaves are dense and are bright green. They are leathery and oval. Plants are separately male and female. The flowers are pale green. The fruit are purple to black.

Edible Uses

The fruit is edible but has a bitter flavour.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

A temperate climate plant. They need well drained soil and sunshine. They are resistant to salt. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia, New Zealand*, Slovenia, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Prefers a rich light loam in sun or semi-shade. Tolerates chalky soils. Plants are very tolerant of strong maritime winds but they can be damaged by cold dry winds. Tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c, this species is somewhat tender in most parts of Britain though it usually regrows if cut back by frost. The young shoots in spring are often cut back by late frosts. Very tolerant of root disturbance, it transplants well even when quite large though it would then require staking at first when growing in exposed positions. A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. It self-sows abundantly in the milder areas of Britain if both sexes are grown.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as ripe in a greenhouse, though it can also be sown in spring in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings once large enough to handle and keep under glass through at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts, with some protection during the first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 cm with a heel, taken in July or August in a frame — keep the foliage moist, pot up in August, and overwinter in a sheltered spot before planting out the following late spring. Cuttings of mature wood, 7–10 cm with a heel, taken October to November in a frame, give a high success rate.

Other Uses

Griselinia littoralis thrives in coastal conditions and makes an excellent hedge that tolerates maritime exposure. Plants respond well to trimming, ideally cut in early summer, and can be cut hard back into old wood if needed. Growth is slow but the result is a dense, attractive hedge. The wood is very durable, firm, and dense, though slightly brittle, and has been used for ship building and railway sleepers.

Notes

There are 6 or 7 Griselinia species.

Synonyms

References (13)

• Crowe, A., 1997, A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin. p 153
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 657
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 360
• Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 117
• Lavelle, M., 2008, Wild Flowers of Australia and Oceania. Southwater. p 97

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