Botanical name:

Mida salicifolia

Common name(s):

Maire taiki

About:

A slender tree or shrub that is commonly found in the lush forests of New Zealand's North Island, thriving from sea level up to an elevation of about 450 m. It typically grows to a height of 3 to 6 m, and its long, narrow, and bright green leaves bestow the tree with a graceful, willow-like appearance that is quite pleasing to the eye. Establishing this particular tree can be a challenging endeavor, as it is naturally semi-parasitic; for instance, in Northland, it has been documented growing directly from the roots of kauri trees. Despite these challenges, it remains an attractive addition to any shady and sheltered area within a garden or natural landscape.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lowland forest. Often in association with kauri (Agathis australis) but also common in other mixed Podocarp forests.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island from North Cape to Wellington but scarce south of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Height: 6m

Flowering: 

September - November with a green to red-pink coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

October - February

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Forests

How to grow:

Difficult and should not be removed from the wild.